PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired midfielder Eric Alexander from FC Dallas in exchange for midfielder/defender Jeremy Hall, it was announced today. Timbers general manager/technical director Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
Alexander, 23, made 39 appearances (28 starts) in FC Dallas’ midfield over the last two seasons after joining the club as a third-round selection (44th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Alexander played in 22 of FC Dallas’s 24 games this season after scoring two goals and providing three assists in 17 games (12 starts) his rookie year.
A U.S. international, Alexander was invited to the January 2011 U.S. National Team camp and earned his first cap when he came on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Alejandro Bedoya against Chile on Jan. 22, 2011.
“Eric is a young player, with both MLS and playoff experience,” said Wilkinson. “He will be a great addition to the squad and will be given the opportunity to succeed.”
Born in Portage, Mich., Alexander scored 12 goals and collected 13 assists in 91 games (80 starts) during his four-year collegiate career at Indiana University. After being named the top freshman in the country by ESPNSoccernet in 2006, Alexander went on to become a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2007 and was a two-time, second-team All-Big Ten choice. He was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
Hall, 22, made 17 appearances (all starts) for the Timbers this season, recording three assists while splitting time between midfield and right back. He was acquired by Portland in a trade with the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 22, 2010. A three-year professional, Hall spent the previous two seasons with New York.
“Jeremy has been nothing but first class for this organization, and we wish him all the best,” said Wilkinson.
Eric Alexander
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Born: April 14, 1988, in Portage, Mich.
Birthplace: Portage, Mich.
Last Club: FC Dallas
College: Indiana Univ.
Citizenship: United States
