INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Portland Timbers today selected defender Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, a product of the Portland Timbers U-23s and a standout at the University of Washington, in the 2013 Major League Soccer SuperDraft held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind.
Portland selected Tucker-Gangnes with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round and he was the club’s only pick in the 2013 SuperDraft. The Timbers acquired the selection Thursday morning prior to the draft in a trade with the San Jose Earthquakes.
“Dylan played for the Timbers U-23s – a good, solid player and is a good distributor of the ball,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager. “Caleb was very impressed with him and followed his college career. We have several coaches that have worked with Dylan and spoke very highly of him. We are delighted to keep him in Portland.”
“We are pleased that we got a quality player in Dylan that comes from a good program, was the captain of his college team, and is a product of our U-23s,” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “He fits a need that we have and can provide depth at the center back position. Dylan fits our style, he’s a player that can play out of the back and he is a winner.”
Tucker-Gangnes played for the Timbers U-23s during the 2011 Premier Development League season. He started 13 regular-season games, logging 1,047 minutes and scoring two goals, and ranked among team leaders in both games played and minutes. Tucker-Gangnes was a part of the 2011 squad that helped the Timbers U-23s qualify for their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“If I could have chosen any team to go to, it would have been Portland, and I am absolutely thrilled to be selected by the club,” said Tucker-Gangnes. “Now, the hard work begins to prove my selection.”
A native of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Tucker-Gangnes was a two-year captain and a two-time All-Pac-12 selection at the University of Washington. As a senior in 2012, he appeared in 19 games, recording seven goals, and guided the Huskies to the second round of the NCAA tournament. He received NSCAA All-Far West Region honors and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team, while helping Washington lead the conference with nine shutouts during the regular season.
Tucker-Gangnes played 72 matches during his collegiate career, recording 14 goals and nine assists. He was also a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention and was an all-conference honorable mention following his sophomore season in 2010.
Additionally, two former members of the Portland Timbers U-23s were selected in the first round of the 2013 SuperDraft. Forward Erik Hurtado, a Beaverton, Ore., native, was selected No. 5 overall by Vancouver Whitecaps FC, while forward Emery Welshman, a standout at Oregon State University, was picked No. 16 overall by Toronto FC.
Dylan Tucker-Gangnes
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Born: Oct. 3, 1989
Hometown: Bainbridge Island, Wash.
College: University of Washington
Citizenship: United States
