The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/21/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Barometer Photo File Los Angeles Galaxy forward Bryan Jordan scored 15 goals in his 68 game career at Oregon State. Jordan now suits up with David Beckham and Landon Donavon for the Galaxy of the MLS.

There were so many Beavers drafted to the NFL, but there are also past Oregon State soccer players playing on Major League Soccer teams.

Bryan Jordan, a 2006 graduate in graphic design and business, scored 15 goals in 68 games as a Beaver. As he got older, he only got better, earning a spot on the Pac-10 All-Academic first team in both 2004 and 2005.

As a senior, Jordan was All-Pac-10 honorable mention. Jordan scored his first career goal as a Beaver against Gonzaga, which soon transformed him into one of the biggest scoring threats in Oregon State history.

"I loved coach Dana Taylor," Jordan said. "Every coach has a different approach, but during those four years that he coached me, he really tried to make me better and define my game while accentuating my good points."

After graduation, Jordan joined the San Fernando Valley Quakes, a team from the USL (United Soccer League). Shortly after, he was picked up by the Portland Timbers, where he played 1,506 minutes in 26 games as a rookie. He scored five goals and was twice named to the USL First Division Team of the Week.

On March 25, 2008, Jordan received his largest honor yet: He joined the MLS and was signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy. In only four games, Jordan had already scored his first goal. Head coach Bruce Arena, former coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, aided Jordan's progress.

"It was nice returning back to California," Jordan said. "It is always hard leaving somewhere like Oregon State where my friends are, but this is where my journey has taken me, and it is where I want to go. It worked out well traveling back to my home state."

However, Jordan was loaned from Los Angeles to Portland Timbers, and he racked up three goals and two assists in his nine-game with his former team. His performance was good enough to make him second-best on the team in goals and assists during this short time, and it also earned him a spot on the USL First Division Team of Week three times.

Jordan now plays alongside former OSU teammate Alan Gordon.

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