UP men’s soccer players Oliver Jeppe and Wylie Trujillo were among the first players signed to Bangers FC, a new United Soccer League 2 semi-professional soccer club in Portland. Jeppe signed with the club on Feb. 24, and Trujillo joined the club on March 6.
Jeppe is originally from Copenhagen, Denmark and started 11 of the 12 games he played with the Pilots last season. Trujillo is from Albuquerque, New Mexico and played three seasons at Gonzaga University before transferring to UP. The forward missed the 2023 season due to injury, making his debut in 2024 and racking up three assists in 10 games.
Pilots Head Coach Nick Carlin-Voigt got Jeppe and Trujillo into contact with the club as both planned to stay in Portland during the summer and wanted to stay in shape for the UP season in the fall.
“[The UP season] That's what really counts, it really matters,” Jeppe said. “I was just talking to my coach about [signing with the club], and he was like, ‘Let's try to reach out, let's see what's going on,’... it was a pretty smooth process.”
Trujillo also places importance on the UP season, and thinks the best way to prepare for it is to keep playing consistently.
“Soccer fitness — I feel like it's kind of hard to replicate, so I think playing games is probably the best way to stay in shape,” Trujillo said.
Wylie Trujillo thanks fans with the team after a win.
The club is owned by the Portland Pickles, a semi-professional baseball team of the West Coast League known for its humorous on-field and off-field antics. Like the Pickles, Bangers FC intends to offer a fun fan experience, according to the club’s website.
Jeppe is especially excited to start with the club because of the experience of Pickles games and the community aspect the team has cultivated.
“Seeing that whole atmosphere and the community they have, I hope it’ll be the same for the soccer team,” Jeppe said.
Bangers FC honors the legacy of soccer in Portland. Former Portland Timbers left-back Jorge Villafaña will be head coach, and former captain and the club’s all-time goal scorer Diego Valeri will also serve as team advisor.
Jeppe and Trujillo anticipate the opportunity to work closely with Villafaña and Valeri. They already have some familiarity with Valeri, as he attends Pilot practices from time to time, and they look forward to how their professional perspectives will help their growth.
“It's nice to see someone that's well-known, and kind of get his perspective on his career,” Trujillo said. “If he has any advice or coaching points to a player…I mean, obviously, that's invaluable.”
The club plans to play at the UO Portland Stadium in the Concordia neighborhood and will play its first match on May 15 against Bigfoot FC.
Kaeden Souki is a sports reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at souki28@up.edu.
