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Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was loaned to the Sacramento Republic, a USL Pro team. Gleeson started in three MLS regular season games during the 2011 season.

(Randy L. Rasmussen/Oregonian)

Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and defender Bryan Gallego have been loaned to the Sacramento Republic, Timbers coach Caleb Porter said Tuesday.

Both players had been mentioned as possible candidates for a loan to the Republic, a USL Pro team. Gleeson and Gallego are the first two Portland players to join the team as part of an agreement between the Timbers and the Republic.

Gleeson, 23, has been with the Timbers since the team joined MLS in 2011. Gleeson appeared in four games (three starts) in 2011, but injuries plagued him in 2012 and 2013, and he did not appear in any games during those two seasons.

The Timbers signed Gallego to a contract Jan. 15. The 20-year-old played for the Timbers U-23 development team in 2013 after playing three seasons at the University of Akron.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold