<a href="http://www.portlandtimbers.com/search/apachesolr_search?keys=eric+brunner&op=go">Eric Brunner News</a><br>
Brunner was selected by the Timbers from the Columbus Crew in the second round (3rd overall) of the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. The defender finished his fourth professional season and third in MLS in 2011, having started his career with the United Soccer Leagues club Miami FC before spending the last two seasons in Columbus. He was originally drafted out of Ohio State University in the second round (16th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls.
2012: Underwent successful surgery on his right ankle on Oct. 23; his expected recovery time is 6-8 weeks ... Made a second straight substitute appearance, coming on for the injured Hanyer Mosquera, and helped secure a 1-0 road victory on Oct. 21 at BC Place ... Played 22 minutes as a sub against Seattle Sounders FC on Oct. 7 and took two shots ... Made his first appearance for the first team since May 26 on Sept. 19 against San Jose, playing five minutes as a second-half sub ... Went the full 90 Sept. 16 vs. Seattle in his third MLS Reserve League start ... Appeared in the game-day 18 for the first time since May 26 ... Returned to action as a starter against the San Jose Reserves on Aug. 26, his first game for the Timbers since May 26 ... Was named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week for Week 11 after scoring a goal against Chicago on May 20 ... Scored his first goal of the season on a half volley in the box on May 20 against Chicago ... Started and played the full 90 minutes in the first eight matches of the season ... Named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 7 after helping the team record a clean sheet on April 21 against Sporting KC.
2011: Led the Timbers in minutes played with 2,795 ... Started 31 of his 32 appearances with the club (both career highs) ... His minutes and games played were both MLS career highs ... Tallied a career-high three goals, including two game-winners ... Scored his first goal of the season in a 1-0 win over his former club Columbus on May 21 at JELD-WEN Field ... Earned an assist against New York on June 19 ... Notched the third goal in a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy on Aug. 3, with a header off a corner kick ... Found the insurance goal in a 2-0 win over Chivas USA in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match March 29 ... Anchored a season-high three straight shutouts (Aug. 24-Sept. 16) ... Named to MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week for Week 24 ... Was issued the first red card in Timbers’ MLS history July 10 against Seattle.
2010: Made 14 appearances (13 starts) for the Columbus Crew, scoring one goal and picking up two yellow cards in 1,145 minutes … Ranked fifth among Crew defenders in minutes … Scored only goal of the season on June 26 at home against D.C. United, heading in a deflected Guillermo Barros Schelotto cross in the 87th minute to give Columbus a 2-0 lead.
2009: Appeared in 25 matches for the Crew, with 23 starts ... Had one goal and one assist ... Named the Crew Newcomer of the Year ... Signed by the Crew on March 18 after his rights were acquired from the New York Red Bulls … Made MLS and Crew debut in his first start on April 11 vs. Colorado ... Tallied first career assist on May 27 vs. San Jose ... Scored first career MLS goal on June 20 at FC Dallas ... Started both playoff matches against Real Salt Lake, and made MLS Cup playoff debut on Oct. 31 … Started against Rochester in the U.S. Open Cup … Started five matches in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League.
2008: Originally selected by the New York Red Bulls in the second round (16th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft ... Began the 2008 MLS season with the Red Bulls before departing in May to join Miami FC of the USL First Division ... Played in 11 games during the USL-1 regular season and playoffs ... Also made four appearances in the 2008 U.S. Open Cup.
INTERNATIONAL: Participated in the 2008 Toulon Tournament in France with the U.S. U-23 National Team ... Started two games and scored one goal.
COLLEGE: Finished his career at Ohio State with 10 goals and four assists over 89 games (79 starts) ... Served as the Buckeyes’ captain during his senior year, helping lead Ohio State to an appearance in the 2007 NCAA College Cup Final … Named to the NSCAA All-America First Team, NSCAA All-Region First Team, All-Big 10 First Team and the College Cup All-Tournament team ... Transferred to Ohio State after spending his freshman season at Maryland, where he appeared in 21 games (11 starts) and tallied one assist.
PERSONAL: Pronounced “BREW-ner” ... Attended Dublin Scioto High School ... Majored in Communications at Ohio State ... Enjoys playing video games ... Played for the Ohio Thunder club team from 1998-2003 ... Played for the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League in 2007, making 11 appearances and scoring two goals.