Jake Gleeson

Last updated

Jake Gleeson
PORTLAND TIMBERS VS. SPORTING KC 2 - 2 (14).jpg
Gleeson in November 2015
Personal information
Full name Jacob Christopher Gleeson [1]
Date of birth (1990-06-26) 26 June 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Palmerston North, New Zealand
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2007–2008 Western Suburbs FC
2008–2010 Team Wellington 5 (0)
2010 Portland Timbers U23s 15 (0)
2011–2018 Portland Timbers 59 (0)
2014 → Sacramento Republic (loan) 17 (0)
2015 → Portland Timbers 2 (loan) 20 (0)
Total116(0)
International career‡
2007 New Zealand U17 5 (0)
2008 New Zealand U20 1 (0)
2012 New Zealand U23 3 (0)
2011–2014 New Zealand 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 November 2018
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 November 2014

Jacob Christopher Gleeson (born 26 June 1990) is a former New Zealand professional footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for American club Portland Timbers.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Gleeson began his career playing for Western Suburbs FC of the Central Premier League. After an extremely impressive showing at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea, Gleeson was offered week-long trials with English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Everton. During the trials, Gleeson impressed the management of both clubs but was suffering the effects of lingering illness, which management took into account. After the initial trial, Everton offered Gleeson a retrial which ultimately ended without an offer being made. Although Manchester United did not offer a retrial, they thought highly of Gleeson and goalkeeping coach Richard Harris promised to recommend Gleeson to other English clubs for a place in their academies. [2]

Gleeson moved up to a higher division in 2008 by signing for Team Wellington of the ASB Championship, the national association football league of New Zealand, and spent the next two years with the club, featuring in 5 games in total.

Portland Timbers

Gleeson was offered a trial with Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer in 2010 but declined the opportunity in favor of a guaranteed contract offered by the former USL incarnation of the Portland Timbers in preparation for their promotion to Major League Soccer. He was to train with the USL team but play for the team's USL Premier Development League affiliate, Portland Timbers U23s. In an interview with New Zealand media in April 2010, Gleeson stated, "I don't have a guaranteed spot but I'm in a really good position because I'm a youth player. I'll come in as the No3 goalie and try and work my way up from there", regarding his prospects of eventually making the transition from the Timbers-U23 team to senior roster. [3]

Gleeson playing for Sacramento Republic FC in a USL Pro match against Orange County Blues in 2014 Jake Gleeson SRFC 1.JPG
Gleeson playing for Sacramento Republic FC in a USL Pro match against Orange County Blues in 2014

In his first season with the club, Gleeson and the Timbers U-23 squad became PDL Champions. To begin the season, Gleeson logged 15 saves in three shutout performances to help the Timbers U-23s record wins over Tacoma Tide, Yakima Reds, and Spokane Spiders in a one-week period, earning him team of the week honors. [4] By finishing with a 20–0–0 record, the team became the PDL's first undefeated championship team. [5]

After training with the team throughout pre-season, Gleeson formally signed with the Major League Soccer Portland Timbers on 17 February 2011. [6] He made his MLS debut on 26 March 2011 against Toronto FC as a second-half substitute for an injured Adin Brown. [7]

Despite starting the season as the club's third-string goalkeeper, Gleeson started the first MLS home game in Timbers history and played all 90 minutes in the Timbers' 4–2 win over the Chicago Fire. Three days later, Gleeson pushed a difficult shot off the post in the 90th minute which would have given FC Dallas the game-tying goal. This save gave Gleeson his second MLS save of the week in five weeks.

On 18 February 2014 Gleeson was loaned out to Sacramento Republic FC as part of the loan agreement between MLS and USL Pro. [8] He made 17 regular season appearances for Sacramento on this loan spell, allowing less than a goal per game, [9] and posted the shutout in their 2–0 victory over Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Pro Championship. [10]

Despite starting the 2016 season as a backup, Gleeson was quickly thrown into action when starter Adam Larsen Kwarasey suffered a torn hand ligament. Over the first half of the season, Gleeson impressed as a #1 and earned the starting job over Kwarasey. Through 14 starts while Kwarasey was injured, Gleeson allowed 18 goals, while posting 70 saves and the Timbers' only 3 shutouts for the year. [11]

In 2018, he had surgeries on his right shin due to stress fractures. Due to complications, he had eight further surgeries, which ended his career.

In 2020, Gleeson officially sued the Timbers physicians for malpractice and negligence. [12]

International career

Gleeson has represented New Zealand at the U-20 and U-17 levels. In 2007, he led the Junior All-Whites to the U-17 Oceania Football Confederation championship and a berth into the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea. Gleeson's performance in these tournaments led to his Premier League trials. In 2008, he led the U-20s to a third-place finish in the OFC championship tournament. [13] Gleeson was given his first call up to the senior New Zealand team for a friendly match against China in March 2011, however Gleeson requested to be withdrawn due to injuries to goalkeepers in the Portland Timbers squad.

On 17 March 2011, New Zealand Head Coach Ricki Herbert called-up Gleeson for the friendly against China on 25 March as a substitute for the injured Mark Paston. [14] Coach Herbert stated: "I'm excited to be able to see Jake. He's young and there's a lot of aspiration and desire. I actually spoke to him over the phone yesterday and he's just over the moon to be part of what we're doing. There is a chance that he will get some time on the pitch." The Portland Timbers however were injury-struck in the goalkeepers department at the time, so Gleeson asked Herbert for permission to stay in Canada in order to play in the MLS match that weekend. Herbert allowed Gleeson to compete for his MLS side Timbers. [15]

He made his full international début as a substitute in a 0–3 friendly loss against Australia on 5 June 2011. Gleeson played the final 13 minutes and conceded one goal through a stoppage-time penalty kick. [16] After not appearing for New Zealand since a 4–3 victory over the Solomon Islands on 10 June 2012, his sixth cap for his country, Gleeson was called up for friendlies against China and Thailand in November 2014. [17]

Career statistics

Club

International

[18]

New Zealand national team
YearAppsGoals
201110
201250
201300
201420
Total80

Personal

Gleeson received his U.S. green card in 2012 which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. [19]

In October 2016 Gleeson was arrested in Lake Oswego, Oregon after a car crash and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and refusing a breathalyzer test. He pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and pleaded guilty to refusing a breathalyzer test, while the charge of reckless driving was dropped as part of a plea bargain. He paid US$1,140 in fines and was mandated to take an alcohol diversion program. [20]

Honours

Club

Portland Timbers U23s [21]
Sacramento Republic FC
Portland Timbers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USL League Two</span> American development soccer league

USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is an amateur/semi-professional soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league system. The league featured 122 teams for 2023, split into eighteen regional divisions across four conferences. USL League Two is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodrigo López (soccer, born 1987)</span> Professional soccer player

Rodrigo López Alvarez is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Sacramento Republic. Born in Mexico, he represented the United States national under-20 team.

The 2009 Portland Timbers season was the ninth season for the club in the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1), the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid. The first competitive game of the 2009 season was played on April 25 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC which the Timbers lost 1–0. Following that loss the Timbers went on a 24-game unbeaten streak in the league on their way to securing the Commissioner's Cup for finishing the regular season atop the table. In a hard-fought, two-legged series, Vancouver Whitecaps FC knocked Portland out of the playoffs in the semifinals by an aggregate score of 5–4. In the U.S. Open Cup the Timbers hosted Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer in the third round but were eliminated by their bitter rivals 2–1 in front of 16,382 spectators at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Braun</span> American soccer player

Freddie Braun is an American soccer player who currently plays for FC Mulhouse Portland in the National Premier Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 PDL season</span> Football league season

The 2012 USL Premier Development League season was the 18th season of the PDL. The regular season began on 22 April with a match between the Los Angeles Misioneros and Fresno Fuego, and ended with 14 matches on 15 July 2012. The regular season was followed by a postseason tournament of conference winners which determined the league's champion, Forest City London. Thirteen teams were added to the league and 4 teams dropped, bringing the total number of teams in the league to 73 for 2012.

Brent Anthony Richards is an American soccer player.

The 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 100th edition of the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer. Qualification began in November 2012 in the fifth tier, although the United States Soccer Federation did not announce the format until March 5, 2013.

The 2013 USL Premier Development League season was the 19th season of the PDL. The regular season began on May 4 with 3 matches and ended on July 21 with 9 matches. The regular season was followed by a postseason tournament of conference winners to determine the league's champion. Four teams were added to the league and 13 teams dropped, bringing the total number of teams in the league to 64 for 2013.

Brock Granger is an American soccer player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Evans (soccer)</span> American soccer player

Steven Evans is a former American professional soccer player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lane United FC</span> American soccer club

Lane United FC is an American soccer club based in Eugene, Oregon, named for Lane County, where Eugene is located. Founded in 2013, the men's team currently plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The organization has added an amateur women's team, which will compete in the USL W League starting in 2023, and announced a professional women's team to compete in the second-tier USL Super League in 2024.

The 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 101st edition of the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer. Qualification began in November 2013 in the fifth tier. The USSF announced the tournament format on April 24, 2014.

David Meves is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper, most recently for Puerto Rico FC of the North American Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Richey</span> American soccer player (born 1992)

Spencer McNair Richey is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxime Crépeau</span> Canadian soccer player (born 1994)

Maxime Crépeau is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers and the Canada national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Wharton</span> American soccer player

Todd Wharton is an American former soccer player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake McGuire</span> American soccer player (born 1994)

Jake McGuire is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for North Carolina FC in the USL Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Smith (soccer coach)</span> English-born U.S. soccer coach

Adam Smith is currently serving as the Sporting Director for USL League 1 team, Central Valley Fuego FC. Smith has held coaching positions at Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer, Fresno FC and Sacramento Republic. Prior to joining Fuego, Smith took the role of CEO and Director of Football at USL League 2 team Ventura County Fusion. Fusion had previously been on a two-year hiatus from the league due to Covid shutdowns, but returned to win the National Championship in 2022. During the 2021 season, Smith took an interim position as First Team Coach at Detroit City FC. This was to provide short-term help to the Head Coach and General manager, Trevor James. Detroit went onto win the NISA Legends tournament that same season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Dick</span> American professional soccer player

Eric Dick is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Rey Ortiz is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder. Born in Mexico, he represented the United States national under-15 team.

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players — 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association . Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Kiwi kid on trial for Man United". The Dominion Post. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Worthington, Sam (16 April 2010). "Opportunity knocks for Wellington goalkeeper". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "Timbers U-23s' Gleeson named to Team of the Week". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Andrews, Allison. "Timbers U-23s finish perfect season with 4–1 win over Thunder Bay in PDL Championship game". SoccerCityUSA.com. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  6. ↑ "Timbers Sign Midfielder Freddie Braun, Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  7. ↑ "Martina's brace leads Toronto to first win of '11". Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Portland Timbers loan Gleeson, Gallego to Sacramento". Oregon Live. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Republic FC Claims USL PRO Championship". USL Pro. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Portland Timbers' Adam Kwarasey out at least a month due to finger injury". MLS. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  12. ↑ "Football: Former All Whites goalkeeper Jake Gleeson suing MLS' Portland Timbers team physicians for US$10.2million". Newshub . Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "Timbers U23s Add Jake Gleeson". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  14. ↑ [ dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Nelsen and Fallon out of All Whites". Radio New Zealand . 21 March 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  16. ↑ Smith, Tony (6 June 2011). "Socceroos cruise past All Whites in Adelaide". Stuff . Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  17. ↑ "Gleeson Called Up By New Zealand". USL Pro. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Jake Gleeson at National-Football-Teams.com
  19. ↑ "Portland Timbers acquire New Zealand defender Ian Hogg, trade Mike Chabala to D.C. United for draft pick". Oregon Live. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  20. ↑ Bailey, Everton Jr. (16 November 2016). "Portland Timbers goalie Jake Gleeson pleads no contest to drunken driving, enters diversion". The Oregonian. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  21. ↑ Timbers u-23, 20 July 2016
  22. ↑ "Republic FC Claims USL PRO Championship". United Soccer Leagues (USL). 27 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "Goals, screw-ups, stats and more: Everything great from the MLS Cup Final". 6 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Portland Timbers become first Cascadia club to reach the MLS Cup: "We want to win the big one" | MLSSoccer.com".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.