PORTLAND, Ore.– The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Jack Jewsbury from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for allocation money. Timbers general manager/technical director Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
Jewsbury, 29, has played the past eight seasons with Sporting KC, appearing in 195 regular-season matches and recording 15 goals and 21 assists during his time with the club. Named Sporting KC’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, Jewsbury ranks among the club’s all-time career leaders in games played.
“This is a great signing for the club, adding a player with eight years of MLS experience to the group,” said Timbers head coach John Spencer. “I think he will be a great addition, and he will definitely make us a better squad.”
A native of Springfield, Mo., Jewsbury appeared in 29 games for Sporting KC last season, contributing two goals in 1,675 minutes. He had a standout season in 2008, posting career-highs in assists (7) and points (13), while being named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year. In 2009, Jewsbury ranked among Sporting KC’s assist leaders for a second straight season, with five assists during the campaign.
“I’m excited for this opportunity,” said Jewsbury. “After being in Kansas City for the past eight years, it’s tough to leave some of the guys and friendships I’ve created. But I’m excited for the opportunity with a new club. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Portland fans and the Timbers organization.”
Jewsbury was drafted by Sporting Kansas City, then the Kansas City Wizards, in the fifth round (43rd overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. In his second professional season, Jewsbury played a role in the club’s successful 2004 campaign, which included winning the Western Conference championship, appearing in the MLS Cup and capturing the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Jewsbury was called into camp with the U.S. National Team on two occasions in 2009. His first call-up was for a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24, 2009, in Carson, Calif. He was then named to head coach Bob Bradley’s training camp roster ahead of the United States’ 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Feb. 11, 2009.
Jewsbury played his collegiate career at Saint Louis University (1999-2002), where he was a two-time All-American, an Academic All-American and the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2000. He compiled 38 goals and 25 assists in 80 matches for the Billikens, helping the team qualify for the NCAA tournament in four straight seasons. A member of the Billiken All-Half Century team, Jewsbury was inducted into the Billiken Hall of Fame earlier this year on Feb. 18, 2011.
Jack Jewsbury
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
Born: April 13, 1981, in Joplin, Mo.
Hometown: Springfield, Mo.
Last Club: Sporting Kansas City
College: Saint Louis University
Citizenship: United States
