January 10, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have signed academy product Sawyer Jura to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2025 season, the club announced today. Jura will join the first team on an MLS contract as a Homegrown player starting in 2026 through the 2027 MLS season.
Jura, 17, made his professional debut for T2 on Aug. 27, 2022, against St. Louis CITY2, logging 45 minutes as a second half substitute. Since then, the fullback defender has made 10 appearances (four starts) for T2 across the last two MLS NEXT Pro seasons, registering one assist. Jura’s first goal contribution came against Whitecaps FC 2 on Sept. 14, 2022, as the game-tying assist in a 2-2 result.
A native of Bend, Ore., Jura has made nine appearances for the U-17 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team since making his debut with the squad on Sept. 21, 2022. Notably, he helped the U.S. clinch a 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup berth with a 5-3 win over Guatemala on Feb. 21, 2023, a match that saw Jura play all 90 minutes.
The Timbers Academy product was selected for the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, which took place at the Naval Academy’s Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Maryland on Wednesday, July 19. One of 22 players on Team West that faced off against Team East, Jura started the match for head coach and former MLS All-Star Taylor Twellman and played the opening 45 minutes, helping Team West to a 2-2 draw and penalty kick victory.
Transaction:
Portland Timbers sign Sawyer Jura to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2025 season and an MLS contract as a Homegrown player starting in 2026 through the 2027 MLS season.
Sawyer Jura
Full name: Sawyer Jura
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: March 9, 2006
Age: 17
Hometown: Bend, Ore.
Citizenship: U.S.
Last Club: Timbers Academy
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