PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers U-23s today announced that New Zealand U-20 National Team goalkeeper
Jake Gleeson
has joined the club for the 2010 Premier Development League (PDL) season. He becomes the first player added to the Timbers U-23s active roster for the upcoming campaign.
A native of Johnsonville, New Zealand, Gleeson, 19, has represented his country at the U-20 and U-17 levels. In 2007, he led the Junior All-Whites to the U-17 Oceania Football Confederation championship and a berth into the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea. In 2008, he led the U-20s to a third-place finish in the OFC championship tournament.
At the club level, Gleeson has played the last two seasons in the New Zealand Football Championship with Team Wellington, starting five games. Following the U-17 World Cup in 2007, he had trials with English Premier League club’s Manchester United and Everton.
The Timbers U-23s, the development team for the Portland Timbers, begin their second season in the PDL on Saturday, May 15, at PGE Park as they play host to the Washington Crossfire. The Timbers U-23s’ season opener is part of a double header at PGE Park, as the Timbers take on AC St. Louis at 7 p.m.
In 2010, the Timbers U-23s play an eight-game, regular-season home schedule. Home games will take place throughout the greater-Portland area, including three played at PGE Park. The PDL is North America's top amateur league for players 23 years of age and younger and serves as a ground for elite and up-and-coming players.
