April 11, 2003
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers have signed former UNLV men's soccer standout Jason Melendez for the 2003 A-League season.
A 5-foot-11 forward for the Rebels from 1998-2001, Melendez ranks sixth all-time in scoring with 29 goals and 22 assists for 80 points. In 2000 and 2001, he was selected to the NCAA Division I All Far West Team by the NSCAA/adidas All-America committee.
Melendez, originally from Lakewood, Calif., was also a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection and academic all-conference honoree during his career at UNLV. He became only the second Rebel in school history to lead the team in scoring for four consecutive seasons.
In Portland's two preseason exhibition matches, Melendez scored two of the team's three goals in his first professional outing on the pitch. The Timbers are currently preparing for their season opener against the Seattle Sounders on May 1.
