Bryan Gallego

Acquired: Signed as a Homegrown Player on Jan. 15, 2014. Portland acquired his Homegrown rights from the New York Red Bulls as part of a trade Dec.3, 2012.

Bryan Gallego becomes the Timbers’ third MLS Homegrown signing. He joins the club following a standout collegiate career at the University of Akron, where he anchored one of the best defensive units in the country in 2012 and 2013. A U.S. youth international at the U-18 and U-20 levels, Gallego played for the Timbers U-23s in 2013 and was named the team’s Player of the Year.

2013: Played in 10 matches for the Timbers U-23s during the Premier Development League regular season … As one of the team’s captains, led the team’s defense that recorded a Northwest Division-best six shutouts and allow the fewest goals in the division (12) … Earned PDL Team of the Week honors in Week 6 … Helped the U-23s to a second-place finish in the division and reach the Western Conference final … Featured in both of the team’s first- and second-round matches in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

College: Played three collegiate seasons at the University of Akron from 2011-13 … Played in 20 games as junior in 2013, serving as captain on a defense that recorded nine shutouts and allowed one goal or less in 19 games during the season … Received multiple honors following his junior campaign: College Soccer News All-America (second team), Top Drawer Soccer Best XI (third team) and All-Great Lakes Region (first team) … Started all 22 games during the 2012 season as a sophomore, helping the Zips generate 16 shutouts, including eight straight … Scored his lone collegiate goal Aug. 31, 2012, against SIU-Edwardsville … Was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection, earning first-team honors in 2013 … Was named to the College Soccer News Freshman All-America and All-Ohio teams following his freshman season in 2011 … In total, appeared in 64 games, recording one goal and one assist during his collegiate career.

International: Played for both the U.S. U-18 and U-20 National Teams … A member of the U.S. U-18 player pool from 2009-11 … Participated in competitions in both South America and Israel with the U-18s in 2010 … Served as team captain of the U-18 national team, helped lead the U-18s to a third-place finish in the 2011 Northern Ireland Milk Cup and competed in the 2011 Lisbon International Tournament … Called up to the U.S. U-20 National Team for the 2010 Copa Chivas in Mexico and was a member of the U-20s player pool in 2012.

Personal: Studied sports management at Akron … Was a three-time team captain during his time with the New York Red Bulls Academy from 2007-11 … With the Red Bulls Academy, was named to the 2008-09 U.S. Soccer Development Academy East Conference U-15/U-16 Starting XI and the 2009-10 East Conference U-17/U-18 Starting XI.