Nick Besler

Nick Besler speaks after being selected by the Portland Timbers in the first round of the 2015 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

(Matt Rourke/AP)

Nick Besler sat in the audience at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Thursday morning waiting in anticipation, wondering which club would call his name.

When the Portland Timbers selected Besler with the No. 5 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, the holding midfielder took a deep breath before slowly walking to the stage.

"This is something I've dreamt about my entire life," Besler told The Oregonian/OregonLive. "What better job is there than being a pro athlete and playing the sport that you love? I'm really excited to begin my professional career and represent Portland."

Besler has received plenty of media attention in recent weeks, but much of the coverage has been focused on the fame of his older brother, Matt Besler, rather than his own success at the University of Notre Dame.

Matt Besler has been a mainstay on Sporting Kansas City's back line for the last six years and represented the U.S. National Team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Nick Besler hasn't shied away from following in his older brother's footsteps -- he even made the decision to compete for the University of Notre Dame, the same college that his brother attended.

But Nick is excited to finally have the opportunity to forge his own path in Major League Soccer.

"I think this is my first step out of the path that Matt took," Nick said. "I'm definitely looking forward to making a name for myself and I'm really excited for the journey."

While Nick certainly will have big shoes to fill if he hopes to reach the same level of professional success as his brother, the 21-year-old has already had plenty of success on his own. In 2014, Nick captained the Notre Dame men's soccer team and was named an NSCAA All-America for his performance.

"My skill set fits with how (Timbers coach) Caleb (Porter) wants his team to play," Nick said. "I'm a smart player. I like to maintain possession. I have good technical skills and the ability to pass and handle the ball well. I think these are things Caleb saw in me."

Nick grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and said he is looking forward to making his first ever trip to Portland.

"I'm excited to a join a first class organization," Nick said. "They run things the right way in Portland. Caleb has had success as a coach everywhere that he's gone. I'm looking forward to joining a team that's going to compete."

How do you feel, Nick Besler?! https://t.co/JnbUf3J6lM — Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 15, 2015

If last year's SuperDraft is any indication, Nick will have a difficult time immediately breaking into Portland's 18 this season. None of the Timbers' 2014 SuperDraft picks recorded any minutes with the first team last year.

Still, holding midfield is a position where the Timbers could absolutely use depth. Timbers captain Will Johnson is currently recovering from a broken leg, which could give Nick an opportunity to break into the 18 at the beginning of the 2015 season.

"I think as a professional breaking into the 18 and even the starting 11 should be everybody's goal," Nick said. "I know there will be adversities thrown my way, especially as a rookie, but my goal will always be to break into the 18, and even the starting 11."

Nick will get his first opportunity to demonstrate his skills during a game situation when the Timbers travel to Tucson, Ariz. for preseason.

Portland's first preseason game of the year will be against Sporting Kansas City on Jan. 31, but Nick's older brother Matt will still be with the U.S. National Team for January training camp at that time. The Timbers will face Kansas City on the road in the regular season on March 21.

"I've never played against my brother before due to the age difference," Nick said. "That would be pretty exciting."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg