Eric Brunner
Encyclopedia
Eric Brunner is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers
in Major League Soccer
.
and seeing action in the 2004 College Cup, Eric transferred to his hometown Ohio State University
. A strong three year college soccer
career at Ohio State included 1st Team All-Big Ten his junior and senior season. Also, during his senior season he was a preseason finalist for the 2007 MAC Hermann Award and first team All American. Eric was a tri-captain on the Ohio State team which lost to Wake Forest 2-1 in the 2007 College Cup Final. Eric concluded his college career appearing in 89 matches and scoring 10 goals. He also played in the USL Premier Development League
for the Michigan Bucks
.
by New York Red Bulls. He initially signed a senior contract, but when the Red Bulls signed Andrew Boyens
, they tried to move him down to the developmental roster. However, Brunner refused to take the pay cut and left the team. He signed with Miami FC
of the USL First Division
of May 20, 2008. Brunner made his first appearance for Miami on June 14, 2008, when he came on as a substitute and played for five minutes. Brunner's MLS rights were traded from the New York Red Bulls to the Columbus Crew
on March 18, 2009 and he signed a contract with the Crew the same day.
He made his Columbus debut against Colorado Rapids
on April 11, 2009, and scored his first career professional goal on June 20, 2009, against FC Dallas
.
On November 24, 2010, he was selected by the Portland Timbers
in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft.
at the 2008 Toulon Tournament
. Brunner scored in his first international game against Turkey
on May 21, 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for 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...
.
College and Amateur
Brunner graduated from Dublin Scioto High School in 2004. After being recruited by the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
and seeing action in the 2004 College Cup, Eric transferred to his hometown Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. A strong three year college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
career at Ohio State included 1st Team All-Big Ten his junior and senior season. Also, during his senior season he was a preseason finalist for the 2007 MAC Hermann Award and first team All American. Eric was a tri-captain on the Ohio State team which lost to Wake Forest 2-1 in the 2007 College Cup Final. Eric concluded his college career appearing in 89 matches and scoring 10 goals. He also played in the 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...
for the Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
.
Professional
Following his college career Brunner was selected 16th in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft2008 MLS SuperDraft
The 2008 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 18, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was made by the Kansas City Wizards, after acquiring the selection from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes...
by New York Red Bulls. He initially signed a senior contract, but when the Red Bulls signed Andrew Boyens
Andrew Boyens
Andrew Victor Boyens is a New Zealander international footballer who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer, and has represented New Zealand at the international level.-College:...
, they tried to move him down to the developmental roster. However, Brunner refused to take the pay cut and left the team. He signed with Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
of May 20, 2008. Brunner made his first appearance for Miami on June 14, 2008, when he came on as a substitute and played for five minutes. Brunner's MLS rights were traded from the New York Red Bulls to the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
on March 18, 2009 and he signed a contract with the Crew the same day.
He made his Columbus debut against Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on April 11, 2009, and scored his first career professional goal on June 20, 2009, against 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...
.
On November 24, 2010, he was selected by 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 the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft.
International
Brunner was called up to play for the United States under-23 men's national soccer teamUnited States under-23 men's national soccer team
The United States U-23 men's national soccer team, also known as the United States men's Olympic soccer team, is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is qualification into and competition at the quadriennial Olympic Football Tournament, the next of which...
at the 2008 Toulon Tournament
2008 Toulon Tournament
The 2008 Toulon Tournament was the 36th edition of the Toulon Tournament, and was held from 20 May to 29 May 2008. Tournament finished with the final between Italy and Chile at Stade Mayol in Toulon as Italy had the title after the final score of 1–0, scored by Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on 70th...
. Brunner scored in his first international game against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
on May 21, 2008.
Columbus Crew
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor 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...
Supporter's Shield (1): 20092009 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...