PORTLAND, Ore.
– United Soccer Leagues announced that Portland Timbers U-23s goalkeeper
Jake Gleeson
was named the 2010 Premier Development League goals-against average champion. Gleeson allowed just five goals in 15 matches for a league-best 0.36 goals-against average during the regular season.
Gleeson, 20, finished the regular season among league leaders in several goalkeeping categories, including first in wins (14) and tied for second in shutouts (8). The New Zealand native received PDL Team of the Week accolades on May 26 and was a recent Team of the Week honorable mention on July 21.
Anchored by Gleeson, the Timbers U-23s backline allowed the fewest goals (6) in the PDL during the regular season. Portland captured the Northwest Division title with a 16-0-0 record, and became the first team in the PDL to post a perfect record – without a loss or draw – since the Jackson Chargers in 1998.
Other 2010 PDL statistical award winners included Thunder Bay Chill forward
Brandon
Swartzendruber
, who finished the regular season as the league’s scoring champion (35pts) and goal-scoring champion (15). Thunder Bay Chill forward
Gustavo Oliveira-Araujo de F
claimed the PDL’s assist leader title with 13 assists. Timbers U-23s forward
Brent Richards
was in the race for the goal-scoring title; he finished second with 14 goals.
The 2010 PDL All-Conference teams will be announced on Monday, Aug. 2, followed by the All-League team on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Award winners, along with the Goalkeeper of the Year, will be announced at the PDL Championship banquet on Friday, Aug. 6.
The Timbers U-23s begin postseason play Saturday as they face the Hollywood United Hitmen in the Western Conference semifinals at 1:30 p.m. at Bremerton Memorial Stadium in Bremerton, Wash. The winner will move onto the Western Conference championship match Sunday.
