PORTLAND, Ore. – Former Timbers captain Liam Ridgewell has returned to Portland to join the club’s broadcast team, it was announced today. Ridgewell will join Jake Zivin and Ross Smith in the booth as an analyst, as well as contribute to content creation across the Timbers’ various platforms. A two-time MLS All-Star (2014, 2016), Ridgewell was named Timbers Defender of the Year twice (2014, 2015) during his career with Portland.
“I’m delighted to be back and involved with the club again,” said Ridgewell. “Portland became a second home to me and my family during my time here, and we’ve missed it quite a bit. This will be a new role for me to take on, and I’m excited to get going.”
Ridgewell signed with the Timbers as a Designated Player in June 2014 and departed the club after the conclusion of the 2018 season. During those five seasons, he made 110 MLS appearances (all starts) for Portland, recording seven goals and two assists. The English defender helped guide the Timbers to the MLS Cup Playoffs four times (2015, 2017, 2018), winning MLS Cup in 2015 and featuring for Portland in its run to the 2018 MLS Cup. Ridgewell concluded his professional career in England, making appearances for Hull City in the English Football League Championship (2018-19) and Southend United in EFL League One (2019-20).
“Liam was an elite player who had tremendous on-field success in Portland,” said Timbers vice president of broadcasting Matt Smith. “We think all the ingredients that made him a great player will also make him a great broadcast analyst. Timbers television is instantly better with Liam in the mix.”
Prior to joining the Timbers in 2014, Ridgewell spent 12 seasons in the English Premier League and the EFL Championship, recording over 200 appearances for Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. In 2011, Ridgewell won the Football League Cup Final with Birmingham City, helping the team secure a 2-1 victory over English Premier League side Arsenal.
