TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Roster Update
The Portland Timbers announced on Thursday that the club has mutually agreed to part ways with center back and former captain Liam Ridgewell.
Ridgewell, 34, signed with the Timbers during the 2014 season, and across five seasons made 97 appearances (97 starts), logging 8,553 minutes and recording six goals and two assists. During that span, Ridgewell helped guide Portland to the MLS Cup Playoffs three times, winning MLS Cup in 2015 and featuring for the Timbers in their run to the 2018 MLS Cup final. In five seasons, Ridgewell played 13 postseason matches (13 starts), registering one goal.
“Liam is quite simply one of the most important and influential signings in Timbers history,” said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson in a statement. “Not only has he been a top defender in MLS since his arrival but he is a winner who greatly contributed to our locker room culture. I thank Liam and will miss him.”
A two-time MLS All-Star (2014, 2016), Ridgewell was also named Timbers Defender of the Year twice (2014, 2015) during his career with Portland.
In 2015, Ridgewell started and played in a career-best 32 matches for the Timbers, anchoring a backline that recorded a league-best 13 shutouts during the regular season. Starting and playing in five matches of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs – including 90 minutes in the Timbers win over Columbus on Dec. 6 – Ridgewell registered the opening goal in a 3-1 win against FC Dallas in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship on Nov. 22, 2015.
“It has been an absolute pleasure playing in Portland for the past five seasons, and I am grateful to the fans and everyone involved for the opportunity,” said Ridgewell. “I am very proud of what we achieved together, and at the same time I am very excited about what the future holds for me as I move on to the next chapter in my career.”
