Portland Timbers and Charleston Battery News Releases
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
TAMPA, FL -- The Portland Timbers and Charleston Battery announced today that defender Tim Karalexis from the Battery was exchanged for Timbers midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer, pending USSF approval.
Last season with the Battery, Karalexis, a six-year veteran, started all 28 matches and logged 2,475 minutes.
“The trade for Tim is a positive move for the Timbers,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers head coach and general manager. “While we have given up an attacking player, Tim guarantees us another quality defender at the back, and has expressed an interest in playing for Portland. He possesses maturity and is an experienced player in this league.”
Karalexis, 27, joins the Timbers after three seasons in Charleston where he amassed 5,521 minutes in 66 matches and recorded four assists. Prior to joining the Battery in 2005, Karalexis began his professional career with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division, and was a first-team, all-league selection in 2003 and 2004. A native of Weymouth, Mass., Karalexis was a two-time All-American during his collegiate career at St. Anselm College.
Luke Kreamalmeyer began his pro career in 2005 with MLS’s Real Salt Lake; he played 6 games and recorded 1 assist. In 2006 Kreamalmeyer, 5-9, 155 lbs., 26 yrs., joined the Portland Timbers and enjoyed a break-out year leading the team in scoring with 8 goals and 16 points and was voted to the USL First Division All-League First Team.
In 2007 Kreamalmeyer played 26 games with Portland scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists as the Timbers advanced to the USL First Division semifinals. Before turning pro Kreamalmeyer was a four-year starter at Bradley University.
The deal with Charleston marks the Timbers first player trade since joining the USL First Division in 2001. With the acquisition of Karalexis, the Timbers now have two defenders among the eight players under contract for the 2008 season.
Additionally, the Timbers announced today the release defender Kevin Meissner. In 2007, Meissner, 24, logged 12 minutes in one match as a rookie.
