PORTLAND, Ore. --- Gio Magaña-Rivera from Hood River, Ore., is the latest recruit to commit to the University of Portland men's soccer program, as the midfielder signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Pilots as a freshman in the fall. Magaña-Rivera is a two-time Oregon State 5A Player of the Year (2013 & 2014), and he currently plays with the Portland Timbers Academy.
 
"Gio is a very graceful and dynamic attacking player who's technically clean with the ball," said Portland's first-year head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. "He has a quick soccer brain which will help him transition and adapt to the physical rigors of college soccer. His coaches at the Portland Timbers Academy rate him as one of the most dynamic attacking players in their group. But at the same time he's a humble competitor who is simply determined to improve and grow."
 
As a senior in high school, Magaña-Rivera elected to focus on the Portland Timbers Academy, but he previously led the Hood River Valley Eagles to a perfect 18-0 record and a state title in 2014. That same year he was named the state championship MVP, the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year and the Columbia River Conference Player of the Year, his second straight year to earn that distinction. Magaña-Rivera previously earned first-team all-conference accolades and nabbed second-team all-state honors in 2012.
 
He landed on the All-American Watch list, and he helped lead the Eagles to three straight conference titles. Hood River reached the state title game in 2013 after reaching the state semifinals the year before.
 
"What attracted us to Gio is that he's a team-first guy who comes from a very hard working family," added Carlin-Voigt. "He's a super competitor who has the highest character traits, and I'm excited he's joining our program as we aim to sign the best players to represent the University of Portland."
 
Magaña-Rivera has played for both ODP and the Region IV Team, and he currently leads the Portland Timbers Academy U-18 team with nine goals.
 
"Gio is a very exciting attacking minded player who we have enjoyed watch develop and will continue to watch develop throughout his time with the University of Portland program," said Ryan Miller, the Timbers Academy Head Coach and former Portland Timber and Notre Dame All-American. "We can't wait to watch him play at Merlo Field with an exciting program like UP!"
 
"Gio is an exciting player who we are confident will make an impact at UP," Portland Timbers Academy Youth Technical Director Larry Sunderland said. "We look forward to working with the UP staff as Gio continues to develop."
 
Magaña-Rivera joins a recruiting class that already includes fellow incoming freshmen Rey Ortiz and Billy Garton.
 
"Our class thus far represents our strong relationship with MLS academies across the country, and Gio signing further demonstrates our commitment to build strong connections with our local neighbor, the Portland Timbers," Carlin-Voigt said. "One of our most important recruiting objectives is to ensure the top players in the Pacific Northwest stay home as Portland Pilots. Gio had opportunities to join other nationally ranked programs, so his signing further represents his strong loyalty to Portland Soccer."

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