PORTLAND, Ore. --- Former Portland Pilots men's soccer standout Benji Michel is returning to the Rose City on Thursday night when Orlando City SC visits the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Michel, who was an All-American while on The Bluff, is in his first season with Orlando City after signing a homegrown contract last winter.
 
"It feels great to be back in Portland," Michel said. "Being here brings back loads of memories. My friends, gamedays on Merlo, the food, I mean I can keep going, and it just tells you how special this place is. Portland has helped me to get to where I am and I am forever grateful."

"We are incredibly excited and proud of Benji's recent success both on and off the field," Portland head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt said. "Benji had a dream to play in Providence Pak and tonight he gets to return to Portland and play the game he loves. Benji set the example of how to set a goal and then relentlessly chase his goal in a team setting. He represented our program in a first-class manner and I know all of his teammates and Pilot fans will be excited to see him in purple again tonight as he faces off against the Portland Timbers."
 
Michel has appeared in seven matches this year for the Lions, and he's made three starts. Last Saturday, Michel scored his first career MLS goal, which proved to be the game-winner during a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew. He also found the back of the net during a recent U.S. Open Cup match.
 
Michel ended his three-year career at Portland with 31 goals, eight assists, 70 points, and 12 game-winners. He ranks third all-time in program history in game-winners, and he's 12th in career goals.
 
Last fall Michel led the Pilots with 11 goals and he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team. Michel was the first Pilot to be named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, which was previously known as the NSCAA, since Nate Jaqua in 2002. He was also named to Top Drawer Soccer's Best XI Second Team, he was tabbed to the All-West Region First Team, and he landed on the All-West Coast Conference First Team.
 
Previously Michel earned all-region honors as both a freshman and a sophomore. He was named First-Team All-WCC all three seasons, and he was recognized as the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2016.