Sueno MLS 2016 Winner_Alan Gaytan.JPG

Oregon teen Alan Gaytan won the historic 10th edition of Sueno MLS.

(MLS)

Oregon teen Alan Gaytan is the winner of this year's Sueno MLS competition.

The 15-year-old Troutdale native beat out 14 other national finalists to win the nationally-televised competition in search of the top young soccer player in the country.

Gaytan has been invited to join the Portland Timbers academy program.

Here is the full release from MLS:

MIAMI & NEW YORK (Sunday, May 22, 2016) - Alan Gaytan, a 15 year-old Mexican-American midfielder from Troutdale, Ore., has been named the winner of the historic 10thedition of Sueno MLS - Presented by Allstate Insurance Company, the nationally-televised search for the best young soccer player in the country. Gaytan, who was discovered by scouts at the Portland Timbers trials, has been invited to join one of the club's Academy teams.

The announcement was made earlier today, live on Univision Deportes' Republica Deportiva, which has chronicled the competition in a "reality show within a show" format.

Gaytan follows in the footsteps of the first-ever Sueno MLS winner Jorge Villafana (2007) - the known as Jorge Flores- who last season won MLS Cup while staring for the Portland Timbers.

"I feel amazing and I think I earned it. It was a tough competition because everyone is talented, but I know my leadership skills and leaving everything on the field helped me achieve this win," said Alan Gaytan. "This experience has been amazing and I want to thank all the coaches and my family. I am sincerely grateful I was able to be part of this program."

The winner was among the 15 national finalists, who were in Southern California for the four-day national finals, which included top-level training, games against local MLS soccer academies, and mentoring by MLS Technical Director, Alfonso Mondelo, and top soccer legends, former MLS and Mexican National Team forward Luis "El Matador" Hernandez, and former MLS and United States National Team forward Eric Wynalda.

"Gaytan impressed us with certain details and high quality soccer subtleties," said Sueno MLS mentor/coach and MLS Technical Director, Alfonso Mondelo. "His first touch along with his movements with and without the ball, as well as the intensity with which he approaches the game made him stand out."

ABOUT THE WINNER:

Alan Gaytan (Midfielder - 15 years old - Troutdale, Ore.)

Hailed by the scouts as an athletic left-footed player with good pace and great finish, Gaytan is the Sueno MLS 2016 - Presented by Allstate winner. The oldest of three children, Gaytan attends Reynolds High School and has played soccer for the past nine years. His favorite teams include the Portland Timbers and FC Barcelona. His favorite player is FC Barcelona's and Argentine sensation Lionel Messi. He is of Mexican heritage.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg