Portland Timbers News Release - www.portlandtimbers.com

Monday, March 2, 2009

PORTLAND, OR -- The Portland Timbers have signed former U-20 U.S. National Team goalkeeper Steve Cronin for the 2009 season, it was announced pending league and USSF approval. Cronin joins the Timbers after four seasons in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Last season, Cronin started 22 matches for the Galaxy and recorded 92 saves, two shutouts, a 2.05 goals-against average and a 6-9-6 record.

“I’m excited about coming to Portland,” said Cronin. “I have heard good things about Timbers fans and the team’s ownership. I am looking forward to learning a new city, meeting my new teammates and coaches and helping bring a championship to Portland.”

Selected 10th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Cronin, 25, started his career with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2004 before being traded to Los Angeles prior to the 2005 season. In five seasons in MLS, the Fair Oaks, Calif., native has played 2,475 minutes over 28 matches, recording 112 saves, a 1.93 goals-against average and a record of 7-13-7.

“Having a goalkeeper of Steve’s caliber is not only a big addition to our roster, but a great signing for our organization,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and head coach of the Timbers. “With experience at the international level and in MLS, he is a very intelligent player who provides a presence in goal and leadership both on and off the field.”

Cronin was a member of the U.S. National Team at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels from 1998-2003. At the FIFA World Youth Championships in 2003, he guided the U-20 U.S. National Team to a fourth-place finish and earned Goalkeeper of the Tournament honors. In 2001, he helped the U-18 U.S. National Team capture the International Tournament of Lisbon championship. Recently, he was a part of the U.S. National Team’s player pool in 2008.

Cronin played three seasons during his collegiate career at Santa Clara University. He led the Broncos to West Coast Conference titles in 2001 and 2003, and was an All-WCC first-team selection as a junior. Despite missing parts of his sophomore and junior seasons due to commitments with the U.S. National Team, Cronin played in 37 matches during his time at SCU, posting a career mark of 22-8-4. He ranks among the school’s all-time leaders with 12 career shutouts.

TIMBERS TO HOST MLS’ RED BULLS IN PRESEASON EXHIBITION MARCH 20

The Portland Timbers will play host to the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in an exhibition match Friday, March 20, at the University of Portland’s Clive Charles Soccer Complex at 7 p.m., it was announced today as the club unveiled its preseason schedule details.

The Timbers’ preseason slate includes two matches against MLS clubs, including the Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes, and will also take on the University of Portland on March 27. The Timbers open their ninth USL First Division campaign April 25 on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tickets for the Timbers preseason contest against New York are $10, and are available through the PGE Park and UP box offices, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

The Red Bulls return 15 players this season from the 2008 squad, which captured the Western Conference championship and reached the MLS Cup for the first time in team history. Their 2009 roster features former Timbers defender Kevin Goldthwaite, former USL First Division standout Macoumba Kandji, veteran goalkeeper Jon Conway and forward Juan Pablo Angel – the team’s leading scorer in 2008.

After playing New York, the Timbers’ 2009 preseason schedule continues with a match against the University of Portland Pilots on March 27 at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced $10 for adults and $7 for youth 18 and younger, will be available starting Tuesday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at the UP box office and through Ticketmaster.

The Timbers play their first preseason game March 14 against the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., at 7 p.m. The preseason schedule also includes a training game against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 3 in Burnaby, B.C.

The Timbers begin preparation for the upcoming season on Monday, March 9, when players and coaches report for preseason training camp at PGE Park. Several players began informal workouts Monday at PGE Park.

Reporting for the seven-week training camp are signed Timbers players and other invited players competing for final roster spots. Under third-year head coach Gavin Wilkinson, the preseason schedule will consist of daily training sessions, informal scrimmages and a series of preseason matches. The informal scrimmages will not be open to the public.

After opening the USL First Division season on the road, the Timbers kick off their 2009 home schedule on April 30 against the Carolina RailHawks at PGE Park. Season tickets, starting as low as $150, are currently available. For information regarding season tickets, ticket packages, group discounts or suite availability, call the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or visit www.portlandtimbers.com.

Portland Timbers 2009 Preseason Schedule
March 2 – Start of informal workouts at PGE Park
March 9 – Preseason training camp begins at PGE Park
March 14 – Timbers at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) at 7 p.m. – Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
March 20 – Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS) at 7 p.m. – Clive Charles Soccer Complex
March 27 – Timbers vs. University of Portland at 7 p.m. – Clive Charles Soccer Complex
April 3 – Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps – training game (closed to the public)
April 25 – Timbers open USL First Division season in Vancouver