Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella announces retirement

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella announced his retirement from the game on Friday.

The 33-year-old enjoyed a nine-season career in MLS - five of which were in Portland - making 79 regular-season appearances and keeping 20 clean sheets.

Despite often serving as back-up to Steve Clark - who departed for the Houston Dynamo this winter - Attinella became a fan favorite at Providence Park and played a part in the Timbers' Western Conference Championship and MLS is Back Tournament wins of 2018 and 2020.

“Playing for the Portland Timbers and representing the organization and the fans, was the privilege of a lifetime. To take the field wearing the crest over my heart was something that I never took for granted, and to be able to retire a Portland Timber is truly an honor,” Attinella said in a club statement.

“I want to thank Merritt, Gavin, Ned and the coaches for allowing me to be a part of this club for the last five years, and for supporting me in my decision to step away from the game to be back home with my family and start the next chapter of my life. Portland will always be a home to me, and I look forward to cheering on the club’s continued success.”

Attinella's final professional match was at home to the Seattle Sounders on May 9, 2021, where he picked up a season-ending thigh injury. He was forced to watch on from the sides as his teammates went all the way to the MLS Cup final, where they lost on penalties to NYCFC.

“We want to thank Jeff for the incredible impact he’s had in our team and club. We are extremely fortunate to have had him with us for the past five years and he will forever be a part of the Timbers family,” said general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers, Gavin Wilkinson. “He is an outstanding person on and off the field, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese added: “Throughout his professional career, Jeff has proved to be a first-class professional on and off the field. We are happy to have been a part of his professional development.

“We want to thank him for all his hard work and the role he played with the Timbers. We wish him all the best.”

Aside from his time in Portland, Attinella also made 95 combined appearances for Real Salt Lake and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Earlier this month, the Timbers made the double-goalkeeper signing of David Bingham as a free agent, and Aljaz Ivacic, who re-signed with the club after playing a bit-part role in recent years.