Brandon Bye

Player Information

Brandon Scott Bye (born November 29, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers. He played his college career at Western Michigan University where he played mainly as a winger. Bye played 64 matches for the Broncos, starting 62. He scored 22 goals and had 19 assists.
Birthdate:
29 November 1995
Full Name:
Brandon Scott Bye
Birthplace:
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Nationality:
United States
Gender:
Male
Height (cm):
183
Education:
Western Michigan University (College)
Career Started:
2015
Current Team:
Contract:
Contract Year 2018 to 2025
Draft Year:
2018
Drafted By:
New England Revolution
Previous Teams:
Grand Rapids FC (From 2015, To 2015), Kalamazoo FC (From 2016, To 2016), Minneapolis City SC (From 2017, To 2017), New England Revolution (From 2018, To 2025)
Player Active:
From - 2015, To - Present

Brandon Bye Bio

Brandon Scott Bye (born November 29, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers. A versatile wide player, he has spent most of his professional career with the New England Revolution before joining Portland for the 2026 season. He is listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and is comfortable on either flank.

Early Life and Background

Brandon Scott Bye was born on November 29, 1995, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the United States. He grew up in nearby Portage, Michigan, a community in the Kalamazoo metropolitan area. The region has a strong youth soccer tradition, and Bye developed his game through local clubs before moving into the college ranks.

As a youth player, Bye represented Alliance FC, a development club that helped him progress to the collegiate level. His background in the Kalamazoo area shaped his grounded, workmanlike approach to the game, and it was during these formative years that he began to attract attention from college programs in the Midwest.

Path to Soccer

Bye attended Western Michigan University, where he played for the Western Michigan Broncos from 2014 through 2017. Operating mainly as a winger, he became one of the most productive players in the program. Across 64 appearances, with 62 starts, he tallied 22 goals and 19 assists, a balanced scoring and creation line that underlined his attacking instincts.

During his college years, Bye also gained senior experience in the National Premier Soccer League. He played for Grand Rapids FC in 2015, Kalamazoo FC in 2016, and Minneapolis City SC in 2017. These stints in the NPSL helped him sharpen his professional habits and offered a clearer path toward Major League Soccer.

Brandon Bye Career

Early Career (2015–2017)

Brandon Scott Bye’s senior career began in the lower tiers of American soccer while he was still a college player. His appearances for Grand Rapids FC, Kalamazoo FC, and Minneapolis City SC gave him regular minutes against grown professionals and allowed him to test the attacking skills he had been refining at Western Michigan.

Those three seasons also coincided with the strongest stretch of his college career. By the time he completed his Broncos career in 2017, he had established himself as a wide player with a knack for both scoring and creating, laying a foundation for his transition to Major League Soccer.

New England Revolution Era (2018–2025)

On January 19, 2018, the New England Revolution selected Bye with the 8th overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. He signed with the club on February 10, 2018, and made his professional debut on March 3, 2018, entering as a 55th-minute substitute in a 0–2 loss to Philadelphia Union. The early months of his rookie season were a steady adjustment to the speed and physical demands of MLS.

Bye scored his first professional goal on September 15, 2018, an 82nd-minute equalizer against Los Angeles FC. The finish was a sign of his knack for timely contributions, and he gradually became a regular presence in the Revolution’s starting XI. Over the years, he added full-back duties to his portfolio, demonstrating the tactical flexibility that has defined his time in New England.

On February 22, 2025, Bye made his 150th MLS regular-season start in the Revolution’s 2025 season opener, a 1–1 draw against Nashville SC. The milestone reflected his consistency and durability, and his contract with New England ran through 2025 after beginning in 2018, marking the end of a long and productive partnership with the club.

Portland Timbers Era (2026–Present)

Following the conclusion of his contract with the New England Revolution, Brandon Scott Bye joined the Portland Timbers, with the move taking effect for the 2026 Major League Soccer season. He is listed as wearing the number 5 shirt for the club, signaling a fresh start on the West Coast after eight seasons in the Eastern Conference.

The move to Portland offers Bye a chance to bring his mix of winger and full-back experience to a new conference. His familiarity with MLS travel demands, set-piece responsibilities, and locker-room leadership should help him settle quickly into the Timbers’ system as the 2026 season unfolds.

Driving Style and Strengths

Brandon Scott Bye is best known for his versatility along the flanks, having played both as a winger and as a full-back during his professional career. He combines a strong work rate with an eye for goal, as shown by his early equalizer against Los Angeles FC, and he is comfortable contributing in the final third while also handling defensive duties. His durability is reflected in reaching 150 MLS regular-season starts, a mark reserved for trusted, consistent performers.

Notable Events and Milestones

Key milestones in Brandon Scott Bye’s career include being selected 8th overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, scoring his first professional goal against Los Angeles FC in September 2018, and making his 150th MLS regular-season start in February 2025. His transition from a winger at Western Michigan to a full-time MLS contributor also stands as a defining step in his journey.

Brandon Bye Career Wins

Brandon Scott Bye’s career has been built more on steady contributions and longevity than on a long list of trophies. His achievements include a top-ten MLS SuperDraft selection, regular-season milestones with the New England Revolution, and consistent appearances across both college and professional ranks.

New England Revolution Highlights

During his time with the New England Revolution from 2018 to 2025, Brandon Scott Bye became a fixture in the squad. His first professional goal, the 82nd-minute equalizer against Los Angeles FC in 2018, remains a signature moment, and his 150th MLS regular-season start against Nashville SC in February 2025 underscored his value to the club over multiple seasons.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond MLS, Brandon Scott Bye gained senior experience with National Premier Soccer League sides Grand Rapids FC, Kalamazoo FC, and Minneapolis City SC between 2015 and 2017. His college record of 22 goals and 19 assists across 64 appearances for the Western Michigan Broncos also stands as a strong foundation for his professional career.

Brandon Bye Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Brandon Scott Bye was raised in Portage, Michigan, in the Kalamazoo area, where he developed his early passion for soccer. He came through the local club system, including a stint with Alliance FC, before moving on to Western Michigan University and eventually Major League Soccer.

Personal Life

Brandon Scott Bye was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is an American national. Detailed information about his parents, marital status, and children is not publicly available in verified sources.

2025 Season Performance

Brandon Scott Bye’s 2025 season was his final year under contract with the New England Revolution. He opened the campaign on February 22, 2025, making his 150th MLS regular-season start in a 1–1 draw against Nashville SC, a fitting marker of his durability and standing within the squad.

Throughout the 2025 season, Bye continued to provide experience and tactical flexibility along the back line and on the wing. The campaign was framed as a transition year, both for the player and the club, as the Revolution prepared for a future that would no longer include him.

Looking beyond 2025, Bye’s focus turned to his next chapter with the Portland Timbers, beginning in 2026. The Portland move represents a new challenge in the Western Conference, where he will look to bring the lessons of his eight MLS seasons in New England to a contending side.