Thompson was released at the end of the season and, despite professing intentions of going to Europe, re-signed with the Timbers. In July 2005, Thompson put in an impressive performance for the Timbers in a friendly match against English soccer team Sunderland, which had been recently promoted to the English Premier League. He was invited to participate in a several week training session with Sunderland later in 2005, although he was not offered a contract with the club. History repeated itself in 2006: after an impressive performance in an exhibition match against English soccer team Coventry City, he was invited to a 10-day trial training session in August.