Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson named to New Zealand National Team roster for friendlies

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has been named to the New Zealand National Team roster for a pair of international friendlies against China on Nov. 14 and Thailand on Nov. 18, it was announced today.

The All Whites travel to face China on Friday, Nov. 14, in Nanchang before heading to Bangkok to square off against Thailand on Tuesday, Nov. 18. New Zealand last played China in November 2012, earning a 1-1 draw in Shanghai. The most recent match against Thailand was a 3-1 loss in Bangkok in March 2009.

Gleeson, 24, has made six appearances for New Zealand since 2011 and was included on the 2012 London Olympics squad. In his last appearance for New Zealand, Gleeson played 90 minutes as a starter in a 4-3 win over Solomon Islands on June 10, 2012, in the third-place match at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup.

While on loan with USL PRO side Sacramento Republic FC this season, Gleeson compiled an 11-2-2 record in 17 matches, while registering 47 saves and six shutouts to help Republic FC win the USL PRO championship. Gleeson finished the season third overall in USL PRO with a 0.92 goals-against average.

With the Timbers, Gleeson made three saves to help the team to a 6-0 win over Alpha United FC of Guyana in CONCACAF Champions League group play at Providence Park on Sept. 23.