Ex-Rev Brown signs with Timbers

Former New England Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown is making his return to MLS. Brown will be joining the expansion Portland Timbers for the 2011 season Timbers head coach John Spencer told ExtraTime Radio on Tuesday.

Adin Brown became a fan favorite while backstopping the Revs to the MLS Cup Final in 2002. (Photo by Art Donahue/artdonahue.com)

Brown was a fan favorite and one of the top ‘keepers in the league during his three year spell with the Revs. The 6’-5” William & Mary product joined the Revs in 2002 after short stints with the Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Mutiny, and won the starting job from Juergen Sommer midway through the season. He would lead the Revs all the way to their first Eastern Conference Championship and first MLS Cup Final appearance that season.

Brown’s regular season stats with the Revs, a 1.40 goals against average (GAA) and a .713 save percentage in 48 starts, were impressive, but his playoff stats showed his true worth to the team. Brown was nearly unbeatable in the postseason and ranks among the top playoff ‘keepers in the history of the league with a 0.66 GAA and .819 save percentage.

Brown earned multiple call-ups to the U.S. National Team, but never managed to get an appearance due to untimely injuries. It would be injuries that would cost Brown his starting job at the Revs as well with Matt Reis filling in during the 2004 season and still holding the starting spot to his day.

Brown went on to have a successful five year stretch in Norway with Aalesunds FK before returning to the U.S. last year to play for the Timbers then USSF Division 2 team. It was unclear whether the 32-year-old would be a part of Portland’s MLS plans until Spencer’s announcement on Tuesday.