Portland Timbers 2 Add Four New Players; Bijev, Gallagher, Lewis and McIntosh

The Portland Timbers' USL side, T2, added four new players to their roster today, signing a trio of midfielders and a keeper to the roster for the 2016 season. Midfielders Villyan Bijev, Michael Gallagher, and Andre Lewis, and goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh bring the T2 roster, which will be supplemented by loanees from the Timbers' first team, up to thirteen players.

Bijev, 23, is an attacking midfielder and forward, capable of slotting into the center of the pitch or wide on the right. With experience in the United States and Bulgarian youth national team set-ups, Bijev played most recently for Bulgarian side Cherno More, making 37 league and cup appearances and netting six goals.

Gallagher, 21, is a holding midfielder, most comfortable playing in the No. 6 role, but also capable of stepping into the backline. A regular starter for the University of Washington Huskies in his college career, Gallagher went un-drafted this year after graduating in 2015.

Lewis, 21, is a creative midfielder, known primarily for his play in the center of the pitch. Selected with the No. 14 pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps, Lewis never made a first team appearance for the Cascadian-Canadians, instead spending the last two years on loan -- first to the Charleston Battery in 2014 and then to the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in 2015. A Jamaican youth international, Lewis has been called up to the Jamaican senior national team, but has not yet made an appearance with the Reggae Boyz.

McIntosh, 22, went un-drafted in the 2016 SuperDraft after playing four years with Santa Clara University. McIntosh was also a member of the U.S. U-17 and U-20 national teams.

The Timbers' press release:

T2 SIGN FOUR PLAYERS AHEAD OF SECOND USL SEASON
Bijev, Gallagher, Lewis and McIntosh sign with T2 for 2016 USL season

PORTLAND, Ore. – T2 have signed midfielder Villyan Bijev, defender/midfielder Michael Gallagher, midfielder Andre Lewis and goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, it was announced today. Bijev and Lewis will be added to the T2 roster pending the receipt of their International Transfer Certificates (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bijev, 23, joins T2 after playing for Bulgarian sides Cherno More and Slavia Sofia. With Cherno More during the 2015-16 season, Bijev appeared in 15 matches, tallying four goals in the top division in Bulgaria. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Bijev moved to Fresno, Calif., as a youth and played for Cal Odyssey at the U-17/18 level as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. In addition, Bijev played on trial with Liverpool U18s and also had a loan stint with Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany during the 2011-12 season. As a youth international, Bijev has made appearances with the U.S. U-18 and U-20 national teams as well as at the U-21 level for Bulgaria.

Gallagher, 21, appeared in 69 matches (61 starts) for the University of Washington from 2012-15, tallying three goals and two assists for the Huskies. As a senior in 2015, Gallagher started 16 games, scoring two goals in 1,240 minutes. During his career, Gallagher helped lead the Huskies to NCAA tournament three times (2012, 2013, 2014).

Lewis, 21, played with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 during the 2015 season, recording three goals and two assists in 14 games (11 starts) for the USL side. The seventh overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC, Lewis was loaned to the Charleston Battery in 2014 and appeared in 14 matches (11 starts), tallying a goal and four assists. Prior to being drafted, Lewis played with Portmore United in Jamaica in 2013 and has played as a youth international with the Jamaica at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 level.

McIntosh, 22, played at Santa Clara University from 2012-15, and helped guide the Broncos to a West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship during his senior season in 2015. As a senior, McIntosh was named NSCAA third team All-Far West region, WCC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and earned second-team All-WCC honors. McIntosh played every minute in goal for Santa Clara in 2015, posting a 1.13 goals-against average with 72 saves and six shutouts. Additionally, McIntosh has appeared with the U.S. U-17 and U-20 national teams.

T2 will open the 2016 USL season on the road against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m.(Pacific). The team will play its home opener at Merlo Field on Saturday, April 2, against Whitecaps FC 2; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Villyan Bijev
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: Jan. 3, 1993
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Last Club: Cherno More (Bulgaria) 
Citizenship: United States/Bulgaria
Acquired: Signed on March 18, 2016

Michael Gallagher
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
Born: Aug. 7, 1994
Hometown: Sammamish, Wash.
Last Club: University of Washington
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed on March 18, 2016

Andre Lewis
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 145
Born: Aug. 12, 1994
Hometown: Spanish Town, Jamaica
Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Citizenship: Jamaica
Acquired: Signed on March 18, 2016

Kendall McIntosh
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Born: Jan. 24, 1994 
Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif.
Last Club: Santa Clara University
Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Signed on March 18, 2016