PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have loaned midfielder Nick Besler, goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, defenders Taylor Peay and Andy Thoma (pictured) and forward Schillo Tshuma to T2 of USL ahead of the club’s USL match against Real Monarchs SLC on Sunday at Merlo Field in Portland, it was announced today. Additionally, the Timbers announced that 2015 MLS SuperDraft selection Anthony Manning has signed with T2.
Besler, 21, was the No. 5 overall pick by the Timbers in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The former University of Notre Dame midfielder, who was signed to an MLS contract prior to the SuperDraft and added to the Timbers roster for the 2015 season, appeared in 72 matches (59 starts) for the Fighting Irish, tallying two goals and five assists while helping Notre Dame win the 2013 NCAA National Championship.
Gleeson, 24, spent the majority of the 2014 season on loan with USL side Sacramento Republic FC, helping guide the club to a USL championship in its inaugural season. A member of the Timbers since 2011, signing from the Timbers U-23s Premier Development League side, Gleeson also appeared in two CONCACAF Champions League matches for the Timbers in 2014.
Peay, 23, made 14 appearances on loan with USL side Orange County Blues in 2014, while also recording his first professional goal for the Timbers in a win over Orlando City U-23s on June 17, 2014, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Thoma, 21, was a second-round (No. 24 overall) pick by the Timbers in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Los Alamos, N.M., native, also signed to an MLS contract prior to this year’s SuperDraft and added to the Timbers roster for the 2015 season, appeared in 80 games (68 starts) over four seasons for the University of Washington, tallying seven assists and one goal.
Tshuma, 22, had loan stints with Orange County Blues and Arizona United SC during the 2014 USL season. A member of Generation adidas and the No. 17 overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by the Timbers, the Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, native made his Portland debut on June 17 in a win over Orlando City U23s in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Manning, 22, was selected by the Timbers in the third round (No. 52 overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Mesquite, Texas, native was a two-time Atlantic-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring a Saint Louis University defense that led the league with 11 shutouts in 2014.
