| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eric Brunner | ||
| Date of birth | February 12, 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ohio, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Portland Timbers | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004 | Maryland Terrapins | ||
| 2005–2007 | Ohio State Buckeyes | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2007 | Michigan Bucks | 11 | (2) |
| 2008 | New York Red Bulls | 0 | (0) |
| 2008 | Miami FC | 13 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Columbus Crew | 39 | (2) |
| 2011– | Portland Timbers | 32 | (3) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008 | United States U-23 | 2 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 27, 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Eric Brunner (born February 12, 1986 in Dublin, Ohio) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.
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Brunner graduated from Dublin Scioto High School in 2004. After being recruited by the University of Maryland 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.
Following his college career Brunner was selected 16th in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft 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.[1] Brunner made his first appearance for Miami on June 14, 2008, when he came on as a substitute and played for five minutes.[2] 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.[3]
On November 24, 2010, he was selected by the Portland Timbers in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft.[4]
Brunner was called up to play for the United States under-23 men's national soccer team at the 2008 Toulon Tournament.[5] Brunner scored in his first international game against Turkey on May 21, 2008.
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