PORTLAND, Ore. - Having spent much of the 2014 season on loan with Sacramento Republic FC of the USL PRO, Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made a quick trip back to the Rose City to start in the Timbers' 6-0 win over Alpha United FC in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday night. Not only was Gleeson making his CCL debut, but he was also using the opportunity to stay sharp ahead of Saturday's USL PRO Championship Game where Republic FC host the Harrisburg City Islanders.
“Coming back up here and getting a game midweek is great, especially in front of the fans here at Providence Park," said a smiling Gleeson after the match. "It was definitely all focused on tonight and now I’ll go back and build on this performance and look forward to Saturday down in Sacramento, which should be another exciting time..”
Gleeson has definitely been keeping busy in central California. On loan for the majority of the 2014 season, Gleeson has put together a stellar campaign. In 17 regular season games, Gleeson is 11-2-3 with just a 0.88 GAA. His 11 victories rank second across all of the USL PRO and Gleeson was named a finalist for the 2014 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year. Gleeson was also the starter for Republic FC in an international friendly against EPL side West Bromwich Albion in July.
Apart from individual accolades, Gleeson’s contributions have made a team impact as well. Republic FC has drawn energetic crowds to Bonney Field in Sacramento as the team made a storybook run to the USL PRO final. In fact, Gleeson’s played a key role for Republic FC in the end-of-season stretch run. In his final 11 appearances, Gleeson allowed only 6 goals (0.55 GAA) and recorded six shutouts including three straight against the Charlotte Eagles, Orlando City SC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Along with Timbers midfielders Steven Evans and George Fochive as well as defender Alvas Powell, Gleeson was one of a number of Portland players who spent time on loan with Sacramento this season gaining key playing time and competitive minutes.
“Going down there and playing twenty-plus games, getting into a rhythm, and especially the run that we’ve had down there, it’s been an invaluable experience,” said Gleeson.
Timbers head coach Caleb Porter and his staff have kept close tabs on Gleeson’s ongoing development.
“He’s obviously done really well on loan with Sacramento,” said Porter following the midweek win over Alpha. “I think you saw today that he’s made progress. He looked comfortable. He’s got a great presence to him.”
After making his MLS debut as a rookie in 2011, Gleeson has used the competitiveness of a vibrant USL PRO environment to sharpen his game.
“You can’t replicate games. You can’t replicate the pressure. You can’t replicate making the big save or making the big mistake and seeing how you react,” he said. “To go into those situations and be put in those places is huge. It’s been good and now I’ve just got to keep building on it.”
Though Gleeson is keeping a level head as a massive championship game approaches, the New Zealand international is definitely looking forward to what the big game will bring.
“It’s going to be very exciting down there—the city’s pretty pumped for it.”
