Portland Timbers News Release - www.portlandtimbers.com

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

PORTLAND, OR -- The Portland Timbers announced the signing of forward Doug DeMartin, midfielder Derek Gaudet and goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski for the 2010 season, pending USSF approval.

All three were part of the Timbers recent mini-camp and were featured in the club’s charity match against the University of Portland. They are scheduled to report on Monday for the start of preseason training camp.

DeMartin, 23, played his collegiate career at Michigan State University and led the Big Ten Conference in goals scored in each of his final two seasons on campus. A native of Mason, Mich., DeMartin had a breakout senior season in 2008, scoring 17 goals and leading the Spartans to a Big Ten title. Named an All-American, he was also a candidate for two national player of the year awards, including the Hermann Trophy. In total, DeMartin recorded 38 goals and nine assists in 76 career games at Michigan State. He was a second-round pick of the Kansas City Wizards in the 2009 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Additionally, DeMartin played 44 games in the Premier Development League from 2005-08. He aided in the Michigan Bucks’ back-to-back Great Lakes Division titles in 2007 and 2008, and the club’s run to the PDL finals in 2007.

Gaudet, 20, is a member of the Canadian U-23 National Team and was called into his first senior National Team camp in January. He has also represented Canada at the U-17 and U-20 levels and recently competed in the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. On the club level, Gaudet played the past three seasons with Halifax Dunbrack SC of the Nova Scotia Soccer League. In 2009, he was named the league’s MVP and an all-star, leading Dunbrack to a top-of-the-table finish. The Bayside, Nova Scotia, native made his professional debut with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC in 2008.

Pyzdrowski, 23, recently finished his collegiate career at Marquette University. A four-year contributor, he ranks among the school’s career leaders in goalkeeper minutes played (5,336), goals-against average (1.37), shutouts (11) and saves (206). He earned four BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll accolades during his time with the Golden Eagles and garnered College Soccer News National Team of the Week honors his junior season. The Hinsdale, Ill., native was named to the NSCAA All-Wisconsin Team and was selected as Marquette’s MVP following his senior season in 2009.

With Friday’s transactions, the Timbers have 22 roster players for the 2010 season.

Portland kicks off the upcoming campaign Saturday, April 17, as they play host to the Rochester Rhinos at PGE Park. Season ticket packages, starting at $96, are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555. By purchasing a season ticket package or making a $50 per-seat deposit towards 2011 Major League Soccer season tickets, fans gain priority status for purchasing season tickets for the Timbers inaugural MLS season. Additional ticket information is available at www.portlandtimbers.com or www.PortlandMLS2011.com.

Timbers to host spring soccer camp March 22-24

The Portland Timbers have teamed up with Salmon Creek Indoor Sports to host a spring youth soccer camp March 22-24 at the indoor facility. Open to both boys and girls ages, the camp will be led by Timbers players and coaches.

The Timbers' Spring Camp at Salmon Creek Indoor Sports, presented by Nike, is available to players ages U-10, U-12 and U-14 and of all skill levels. In addition to professional instruction, participants receive a Nike soccer ball and Timbers camp t-shirt. Camp runs from 4-6 p.m. each day. Registration for camp is $65.

How to register:
To register for the spring camp, visit www.scsoccerarena.com, click here to download the registration form or call Salmon Creek Indoor Sports at (360) 571-7628. Space is limited.

Salmon Creek Indoor Sports is located at 110 NW 139th St., Vancouver, WA 98685

The Timbers Nike Soccer Camps program features an ideal 12:1 player-coach ratio and bases all training groups upon skill levels and age. Each camp is centered around age-appropriate exercises and activities designed to maximize instruction, develop technical improvement and build a love for the game.

The Timbers full 2010 camp schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.