A new eMLS season approaches and the Portland Timbers have a new name in the mix.
The Timbers have signed Bruno Albino as their competitor for the upcoming 2023 eMLS season.
A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Albino will represent Portland during the eMLS season competing against some of the top players across North America in the eMLS League Series and eMLS Cup tournaments. The 2023 campaign marks the sixth season for eMLS, with top finishers earning trophies, cash prizes and opportunities to advance to global competitions.
“The Timbers undoubtedly have the best fan base in the MLS, the atmosphere in the stadium is awesome,” Albino said. “I am excited to meet the best players in the region, to get to know new places and to compete on the highest level.”
Albino, who will go by the gamer tag “CptBruno,” is a two-time Copa Connect Champion and finished first in the ESL South America 2021 season, while competing for accomplished Brazilian esports team, SPQR. He is currently attending Clarke University in Iowa on an esports scholarship and was ranked 20th in North America for the 2022 FIFA Ultimate Team season. Most recently, Albino won the North American Collegiate League (NACL) Fall FIFA 23 Championship.
Growing up in Brazil, Albino became a fan of his hometown São Paulo FC, the historic club that produced Brazilian legends such as Kaká and Cafu. His love of soccer carried over to video games having played first played FIFA as far back as 2003 on a Game Boy Advance.
“I played it for hours a day,” Albino remembers. “I would say my liking for both soccer and video games and my desire to be competitive is what kept me hooked to the games.” He was also a fan of Call of Duty which is where he picked up his “captain” nickname.
Now turning his sights on eMLS, Albino was drawn to representing the Rose City having spent time studying at Southwest Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore., last year.
