PORTLAND, Ore. --- Kevin Bonilla, a right back with the U.S. U-20 National Team and the FC Dallas organization, has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Pilots as a freshman in the fall, announced head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt.
 
"I'm so excited about adding Kevin Bonilla to our soccer family here on the Bluff," Carlin-Voigt said. "Kevin is a winner and has already played in big games both internationally for the U-20 National Team and with FC Dallas and North Texas SC, which was hands down the best team in the USL."
 
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Bonilla was called up to the U-20 National Team for a trip to Slovenia for games against Croatia and UAB. Bonilla also made 14 appearances for North Texas SC, who is the second team of FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. He made his professional debut for the team on March 30 against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, and he went on to start 12 of the next 13 matches.
 
Bonilla, who is ranked by Top Drawer Soccer as the No. 83 prospect in the country and is eighth in the state of Texas, also helped lead the FC Dallas U-18/19 Academy team to the championship game of the Academy Playoffs
 
"Kevin will be a handful for other teams as he has good ideas to drive forward and join the attack," added Carlin-Voigt. "Kevin was one of the most highly recruited attacking right backs in the country and I know our fans will be get excited to watch him develop on Merlo. Kevin came through the player development academy at FC Dallas under the leadership of Chris Hayden and first team coach Luchi Gonzalez, which has one of the top track records in player development. Off the field, Kevin is incredibly humble and driven to become the best version of himself. There is no arrogance or ego to Kevin and that will serve him well as he develops here. He will be a wonderful addition to our program and will add to our culture. I can't wait to start working with Kevin."
 
"I decided to play for Portland for many reasons, but overall there are two that stood out to me," Bonilla said. "One is that Nick treats his players as more than just players. He treats them like his own sons and makes sure each one of them knows he would do anything for them. The second reason is the most important to me, and that is Portland felt like home. Portland has a great fan base that supports them through anything. But the best feeling was the family feeling I felt all the way from the players to the coaching staff to the fans. I'm excited to play for such a great program and coach."