Eric Alexander

<a href="http://www.portlandtimbers.com/search/apachesolr_search?keys=eric+alexander&amp;op=go">Eric Alexander News</a><br>

Joining the Timbers mid-season in 2011 from FC Dallas, Alexander was originally a third-round selection (44th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The former Indiana University standout helped FC Dallas to an appearance in the 2010 MLS Cup and earned his first cap with the U.S. National Team in January 2011.

2012: Finished the 2012 campaign as the Timbers assist leader with six assists ... Logged 1,302 minutes over 24 matches (14 starts) and his six assists were a career-high ... Was named the club’s Unsung Hero following the season at the Timbers’ Stand Together Awards Banquet ... Set up the game-tying goal by Darlington Nagbe in the 82nd minute of a 2-2 draw Aug. 15 at Toronto FC, which marked the Timbers’ first multiple-goal performance on the road as an MLS side ... Registered assists in back-to-back appearances on Aug. 15 and Aug. 25 - a 2-1 win over Vancouver ... Recorded his first career multi-assist game with two assists, leading to a pair of Nagbe goals, March 31 in a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake ... Appeared in six matches and scored a goal for the Timbers Reserves in the MLS Reserve League ... Scored on a penalty kick in a 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy Reserves on June 2 at JELD-WEN Field.

2011: Acquired in a mid-season trade with FC Dallas on Aug. 19 ... Made three starts for Portland, earning his first Sept. 24 against the New York Red Bulls ... Started each of the final two matches of the season in draws against D.C. United and Real Salt Lake ... Made his Timbers debut as a substitute and played 19 minutes in a 1-0 win over Chivas USA on Aug. 24 ... Appeared in four games (3 starts) for the Timbers Reserves ... Earned an assist on Bright Dike’s goal against the LA Galaxy Reserves on Sept. 1 ... Played 1,218 minutes over 22 games (16 starts) for FC Dallas before the trade ... Made two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearances with FC Dallas, including a start in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Real Salt Lake.

2010: In his first year as a professional, scored two goals and provided three assists over 17 games (12 starts) for FC Dallas ... Had a goal and an assist on two separate occasions, Aug. 14 at D.C. United and Sept. 16 vs. New York Red Bulls ... Saw limited time through the first four months of the season before a strong showing in a second-half ap­pearance against Toronto FC on July 24 ... Started his first MLS match the following weekend against the Colorado Rapids ... Contributed to FC Dallas’ 19-match unbeaten streak during the regular season ... Started 11 consecutive matches to close out the season ... Made two postseason appearances, helping FC Dallas secure the Western Confer­ence championship on their way to the 2010 MLS Cup final.

INTERNATIONAL: Drew the attention of former U.S. National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley with a strong 2010 season ... Following Dallas’ run to the 2010 MLS Cup, was called into camp with the U.S. National Team in January 2011 ... Made the 18-man gameday roster for the Jan. 22, 2011, friendly against Chile and earned his first international cap when he came on for Alejandro Bedoya in the 83rd minute.

COLLEGE: Appeared in 91 matches and made 80 starts at Indiana, finishing with 12 goals and 13 assists for his college career … Was a two time second team All-Big Ten selection … Was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2007 and a unanimous pick for the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2006 ... Was also a standout in the classroom as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection … In his freshman year, Alexander was recognized as the best freshman in the country by ESPN Soccernet.

PERSONAL: Was a finance major in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.