PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have signed defender Bryan Gallego as a Homegrown Player, it was announced today. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The Timbers acquired the Homegrown rights to Gallego from the New York Red Bulls as part of a trade Dec. 3, 2012; he was a member of the Red Bulls Academy from 2007-11.
Gallego, 20, was a standout at the University of Akron, recently finishing his junior season in 2013 by anchoring one of the best defensive units in the country. He also played for the Timbers’ top development team, the Timbers U-23s, in 2013 and contributed to a successful season that saw the team reach the Premier Development League’s (PDL) Western Conference final. The Kennelon, N.J., native has also played for the U.S. U-20 and U-18 national teams.
With the Timbers U-23s, Gallego played in 10 matches during the 2013 PDL regular season, helping the team to a second-place finish in the Northwest Division and earning PDL Team of the Week honors in Week 6. He led a defense that recorded a division-best six shutouts and allowed a division-low 12 goals. The Timbers U-23s Player of the Year, Gallego helped the team to the postseason and to the second round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Gallego played three collegiate seasons at Akron (2011-13). He played in 20 games as a junior in 2013, serving as captain on a defense that recorded nine shutouts and allowed one goal or less in 19 games. He was awarded several accolades, including College Soccer News All-America (second team), Top Drawer Soccer Best XI (third team) and All-Great Lakes Region First Team honors in 2013. Gallego was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection during his collegiate career and helped the Zips record 16 shutouts during the 2012 season as a sophomore.
As a U.S. youth international, Gallego was a member of the U-18 National Team pool for three years from 2009-11 and served as the team’s captain. He led the U.S. U-18 National Team to a third-place finish in the 2011 Northern Ireland Milk Cup. He played for the U.S. U-20s during the Copa Chivas in 2010 and was a part of the team’s player pool in 2012.
Bryan Gallego
Pronunciation: gye-YEH-go
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165
Born: March 3, 1993
Hometown: Kinnelon, N.J.
College: University of Akron
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed as a Homegrown Player on Jan. 15, 2014
