Joe Bendik

ACQUIRED

Joseph (Joe) Bendik joined Toronto FC on December 12, 2012 in a trade with Portland Timbers.

Bendik played NCAA soccer at Clemson University before pursuing an European career in Norway with Sogndal in 2010. He returned to North America in 2012, signing with Portland on February 24.

Bendik signed with the Timbers on Feb. 24, 2012, after two seasons playing abroad for Norwegian top-flight club Sogndal. Previous to his professional career, Bendik spent four years at Clemson University. He finished his time with the Tigers among the school’s career leaders in shutouts, saves, saves per game, wins and minutes played.

2011: Began the year as the starter in goal for Sogndal, a member of the Tippeligaen, Norway’s top football league … Started the first two matches of the season, making his Tippligaen debut March 20 against Strømsgodset IF  … Persistent elbow injury limited playing time during the season … Started the final two games of the season, including a 2-1 victory over eventual league champion Molde FK … Finished the season with a 4-1-0 record, including one shutout.

2010: Worked his way into a starting role as a rookie, making his Sogndal debut May 12, in a 4-0 win over Ardal in a Norwegian Football Cup tie ... Ended the season having started four league matches, helping the club earn promotion to Norway’s top flight ... Recorded a shutout Oct. 20 against Fredrikstad ... Played in two total Norwegian Football Cup fixtures

INTERNATIONAL: Was a member of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., in 2005 ... Represented the United States at the U-17 and U-18 levels … Helped the U.S. U-17 National Team to the finals of the Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland in 2005 ... Faced Brazil as a member of the U.S. U-18 National Team in December 2006 ... Led the U.S. U-18s to a fourth-place finish in the 2006 Slovakia Cup.

COLLEGE: Was a three-year starter at Clemson University … Finished his collegiate career ranked among the school’s career leaders in several goalkeeper categories, including wins, saves, shutouts and goalkeeper minutes played ... Played in 61 career games for the Tigers, starting all but two appearances ... Recorded a career-best 1.39 goals-against average during his senior season in 2009, while starting all 18 matches played ... Led the ACC in both saves and saves per game as a junior (2008) ... Claimed All-ACC second-team honors and earned a spot on the NSCAA/adidas All-South Third-Team …  During his sophomore season in 2007, recorded wins against Top 25 ranked schools Virginia, Furman and Boston College.

PERSONAL: Pronounced “BEND-ik” ... Was a NSCAA High School All-American at Edison Academic Center High School in Bradenton, Fla. … Attended the U.S. U-18 National Team camp in Los Angeles and the Elite Soccer Program (ESP) camp in Hartford, Conn., while in high school … Majored in management at Clemson.