A childhood dream realized: 17-year-old Bend native, Sawyer Jura, achieves goal of playing for the Portland Timbers

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ ) -- Bend native Sawyer Jura is set to become a hometown legend, as Jan. 10 he signed a deal to become a defender for the Portland Timbers. The 17-year-old phenom is set to debut for the Timbers in 2026.

Reflecting on his journey Tuesday, Jura expressed the significance of this moment, saying, "I mean, it's pretty special. I mean, it's what I dreamed of since I was really young. I would definitely say my dream isn't finished yet, so I want to keep going, playing, hopefully, and making a name for myself and the Portland community."

Jura started his soccer journey with the Bend FC Timbers club. Having played herself, his mom Ahna knew he was talented right away: “When he was 5, he was the kid when it was those ‘little bunch balls’ and they're running around and he kept scoring and scoring and scoring. And you're like, ;'Okay, that's probably good!;”

As he grew older, Jura consistently played with older age groups, showcasing his skills and dominating at every level.

The Jura family's commitment to Sawyer's passion led them to travel to Portland regularly, where he played in a more competitive league. In 2018, at the age of 12, Sawyer and his parents made the life-changing decision to move to Portland full-time, allowing him to fully pursue his dream.

"Once U-12 started, that's when I was really serious, because that was kind of the transition to a more professional environment. I've been there for the past six years and progressed from U-12 to T2 to the first team," shared Jura about his developmental journey.

Sawyer joined the Timbers Academy, gradually working his way up to the Timbers 2 team at the age of 17, just one step away from Major League Soccer (MLS). He also represented the U-17 US national team, contributing to their success in clinching a 2023 FIFA World Cup berth.

Reflecting on his national team experience, Jura said, "I will take that experience for the rest of my life. Playing for the badge is super-special. It's hard to describe. I'm just super grateful that I could, hopefully, do it again. It's just been super-special."

This month, Sawyer's dream reached new heights as he signed a four-year contract with the Portland Timbers. Recalling the moment, he said, "Since I was super little, I imagined this pathway, and that honestly was like, 'Oh my God, it's true, it's happening!' It's just a dream come true. I love the team, I love the club, I love the fans. Every part of it is just perfect. I'm just super-excited to start."

Jura is set to play with the Timbers 2 team through 2025, with hopes of making his Timbers debut at Portland's Providence Park in 2026. As he embarks on this next chapter, the young defender remains grateful for the support that has propelled him towards realizing his childhood dream.