FOXBOROUGH, MA– Per Sources, the Portland Timbers are signing 30-year-old defender Brandon Bye.

Bye will occupy a Senior Roster slot for Portland according to MLS roster rules.

Brandon Bye (15) warms up prior to an MLS match. © Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.

Brandon Bye is a 30-year-old, 6’0, 185lb defender from Kalamazoo, Michigan

At the club level, Bye has played 214 career games (15,994 minutes) in the United States. After a 4-year collegiate career at Western Michigan (2014-17), Bye took part in the 2017-18 MLS combine. On January 19th, 2018, he was drafted 8th overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by New England Revolution (2018-2025), where he has spent his entire MLS career. Portland Timbers will be his second ever professional club

In total club numbers, the defender has contributed 10 career goals, 20 assists, along with 17 yellow cards and 1 red cards.

Internationally, Bye has never appeared for his national team. He can represent the United States.

 

Mid-day on Tuesday, December 9th, Bye posted a “good-bye” post to New England Revolution fans after 7+ years with the club.

Sources confirmed to me early on Thursday morning that Bye had signed a free agent deal with Portland.

One day later, Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that he had heard similarly, making Bye the first free agent player to sign since free agency opened on December 10th.

Bye has a plethora of MLS experience, where he has played in 214 matches (175+ starts) in all competitions.

He joins Portland on a one-year MLS contract through the 2026 season with a club option for the 2027 MLS season.

Bye joins a Portland Timbers back line that consists of Kamal Miller, Zac McGraw, Finn Surman, Ian Smith, Jimer Mory, Juan Mosquera, Sawyer Jura, & Trey Muse.

New England Revolution Logo. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

Marko Mitrović will look to build with his New England Revolution side ahead of the 2026 MLS season. For All MLS content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

For All MLS content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)

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Caleb Pongratz

Hello! My name is Caleb Pongratz. I am a 23-year-old journalist that covers Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro, USL, USL Championship, USL League One, USL League Two & the United States Men's National Team. I'm originally from Hanover, Massachusetts and currently reside in Boston, Massachusetts. Schooling: • Hanover High School (2016-2020) • Suffolk University (2020-2024) - Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications - Broadcast Journalism. Career within Soccer: • Played club soccer from U6-U18 (Select FC, Boston Bolts, Liverpool International Academy) • Captain of Hanover High School Boys' Soccer (High School) • Played NCAA Division 3 Soccer for Suffolk University in the Coastal Commonwealth Conference for 4 seasons • C Licensed US Soccer Coach • Licensed US Soccer Referee • SafeSport & Intro to Safe & Healthy Playing Environments Certified

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