Jake Gleeson
Encyclopedia
Jacob "Jake" Gleeson is a New Zealand
er footballer currently playing for the Portland Timbers
in Major League Soccer
.
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.
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.
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 U23's
. 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.
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. By finishing with a 20-0-0 record, the team became the PDL's first undefeated championship team.
After training with the team throughout pre-season, Gleeson formally signed with the Major League Soccer
Portland Timbers
on 17 February 2011. He made his MLS debut on 26 March 2011 against Toronto FC
as a second half substitute for an injured Adin Brown
.
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.
.
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, Head Coach Ricki Herbert
called-up Gleeson for the friendly against on 25 March as a substitute for the injured Mark Paston
. 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.
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.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
er footballer currently playing for the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Club career
Gleeson began his career playing for Western SuburbsWestern Suburbs
Western Suburbs is an association football club in Porirua, New Zealand. They play their home matches at Endeavour Park in the Porirua suburb of Whitby and compete in the Central Premier League....
of the Central Premier League
Central Premier League
The Central League is a semi-professional status league competition run by for Association football clubs located in the southern and central parts of the North Island, New Zealand...
. After an extremely impressive showing at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007 was held in the Korea Republic between 18 August and 9 September 2007. For this event, the number of teams had been expanded from 16 to 24, with the top two of each group and the four best third-place teams advancing to the Round of 16...
in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Gleeson was offered week-long trials with English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. 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.
Gleeson moved up to a higher division in 2008 by signing for Team Wellington
Team Wellington
Team Wellington are one of the eight franchises in the New Zealand ASB Premiership football competition. They play their home games at Newtown Park, Wellington.- History :...
of the ASB Championship
New Zealand Football Championship
The New Zealand Football Championship is the national association football league in New Zealand. It is a professional/semi-professional status Association football sports Franchise league that is operated by New Zealand Football...
, the national association football league of New Zealand., and spent the next two years with the club, featuring in 5 games in total.
Gleeson was offered a trial with Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in 2010 but declined the opportunity in favor of a guaranteed contract offered by the former USL
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
incarnation of the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
in preparation for their promotion to Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He was to train with the USL team but play for the team's USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
affiliate, Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
. 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.
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
Yakima Reds
Yakima Reds was an American soccer team based in Yakima, Washington, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
, and Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders was an American soccer team based in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
in a one week period, earning him team of the week honors. By finishing with a 20-0-0 record, the team became the PDL's first undefeated championship team.
After training with the team throughout pre-season, Gleeson formally signed with the Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
on 17 February 2011. He made his MLS debut on 26 March 2011 against Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
as a second half substitute for an injured Adin Brown
Adin Brown
Adin Brown is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College:A highly-touted prospect and a starting goalkeeper for the United States in the run-up prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics, Brown played college soccer at the College of William and Mary...
.
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
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
the game-tying goal. This save gave Gleeson his second MLS save of the week in five weeks.
International career
Gleeson has represented 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 tournament2008 OFC U-20 Championship
The 2008 OFC Under 20 Qualifying Tournament was held in Papeete, Tahiti. The tournament was won by hosts Tahiti after their final win against Fiji and a 2-2 draw between New Caledonia and New Zealand which prevented either team from qualification and was the first tournament since 1974 to be won by...
.
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
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
squad.
On 17 March 2011, Head Coach Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert
Ricki Lloyd Herbert, CNZM is a New Zealand former association football player who represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain...
called-up Gleeson for the friendly against on 25 March as a substitute for the injured Mark Paston
Mark Paston
Mark Nelson Paston is a New Zealand football goalkeeper who plays for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Early career:...
. 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.
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.
Club
Portland Timbers U23'sPortland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
- USL PDL Champions 2010
- USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2010
- USL PDL Western Conference Champions 2010
- USL PDL Northwest Division Champions 2010