[HOMEGROWN WATCH] The Portland Timbers have signed midfielder Steven Evans as the club’s second homegrown player. Evans, 21, was the Timbers U-23s' 2012 Player of the Year and just completed his junior season at the University of Portland, where he was a three-time All-WCC selection.

“I have always wanted to play for the Timbers," said Evans in a statement. "This is something I’ve been working toward since I started playing the game. I grew up watching the Timbers, and the opportunity to play professionally in my hometown is a dream come true. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Evans tallied a career-best 14 goals in 19 matches during his junior season at UP, finishing second in the conference and eighth among NCAA leaders in goals scored. He was named to the All-WCC First Team for a second straight season. He was also named the 2010 WCC Freshman of the Year. In total, he compiled 24 goals and 12 assists in 53 career matches.

Evans, an all-state player at Portland’s Central Catholic High School during his prep career and former player for Eastside Timbers, joins forward Brent Richards, a native of Camas, Wash., as the Timbers’ two homegrown players. He also becomes the fifth player from the PDL Timbers U-23s to sign with the first team.

2013 Homegrown signings
Columbus:
M Wil Trapp (Akron)
FC Dallas:
F Bradlee Baladez (South Carolina)
Los Angeles:
D Oscar Sorto (academy)
F Gyasi Zardes (CSU Bakersfield)
New York:
G Santiago Castano (academy)
F Amando Moreno (academy)
New England:
M Scott Caldwell (Akron)
Portland:
F Steven Evans (Portland)