Timbers put faith in former Galaxy goalie

Cronin says he’ll benefit from playing with solid defenders

By steve brandon

The Portland Tribune, Apr 28, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Steve Cronin starts in goal for the Timbers, after making 92 saves in 22 matches last season with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

VICTOR DECOLONGON / GETTY IMAGES

The Portland Timbers are spending about 20 percent more on players than they did last season, owner Merritt Paulson says, in an attempt to compete for the United Soccer League’s First Division championship. The club has 17 new players out of 23. Among the key signees is goalie Steve Cronin, who started 22 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2008, his fourth year with the Major League Soccer club.

“Steve is the best goalkeeper the Timbers have had while I’ve been here,” says coach/ General Manager Gavin Wilkinson, who has been with Portland since it joined the USL in 2001.

After falling out of favor with the Galaxy, the 6-3 Cronin signed a two-year deal with Portland. “Not many other clubs could afford him, and maybe some MLS clubs didn’t see him as a No. 1 keeper,” Wilkinson says.

Cronin’s results in L.A. were spotty last season, but the Galaxy had all sorts of problems on the field. “With a consistent, solid back four in front of him, I think we’ll see the best in Steve,” Wilkinson says.

Cronin, 25, agrees.

Asked what he thinks could be the biggest area of strength for the Timbers this year, he says: “My ego would like to say the goalkeeping. We’re going to have a strong, overall foundation in the back. … I feel like I’m not just there to block shots, but also to direct things. And, when the team’s in trouble, they can play the ball back to me and I’ll do well with it.”

The Timbers, who tied for last place a year ago, open their 30-game season Saturday at defending league champion Vancouver. The disappointing Whitecaps already have tied Charleston 0-0, lost 2-1 at Puerto Rico and tied the expansion Austin (Texas) Aztex 1-1.

The Timbers are 1-13-2 all-time in USL games at Vancouver, and they expect a battle Saturday. But Cronin, from Fair Oaks, Calif., says Portland’s seven preseason games have the team ready to perform, even with all the new faces. “I know we’re going to score some goals this year, and I know we’re going to put up some shutouts,” he says.

Cronin has a few goals of his own for this spring and summer. “Everything — a championship, USL first-team all-star, player of the year, whatever,” he says.

It’s all with an eye on 2011, as well. That’s when the Timbers are planning their jump to the MLS. “Both Gavin and Merritt have made it pretty clear that I’m a player they’d like to build with,” Cronin says.

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