Portland Timbers players Jake Gleeson and Liam Ridgewell have apologised after a being arrested and charged with drunken driving offenses late Monday night.
"I am profoundly sorry that I let down a community that has graciously supported not only me, but my teammates as well," Gleeson said of the incident.
"I take full responsibility for my behavior and will do whatever is necessary to regain the trust of the Timbers organization, the fans and Major League Soccer."
Statements from MLS and Timbers: https://t.co/duWp23HImD
- Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) October 25, 2016
Ridgewell issued his statement through his attorney, Sean J. Riddell, vowing to "earn back the trust" of fans and teammates.
"My client would like to apologize to the community, the Timbers organization and his family for his recent arrest on the charge of Driving Under the Influence," the statement read.
"He understands that he is a role model and looks forward to earning back the trust of the community.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office charged both players with driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), according to its website.
Ridgewell, a 32-year-old left-back, and Gleeson, a 26-year-old goalkeeper, both posted a $7,500 bond and have a Lake Oswego municipal court date set for Nov. 16.
A Lake Oswego police spokesman told The Oregonian that Gleeson was involved in a two-vehicle crash and was also charged with reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
Gleeson "apparently called a friend to come pick him up, and that was Ridgewell," Sgt. Tom Hamann said, and officers determined after field sobriety tests that both men were under the influence. Ridgewell was charged only with DUII.
Police said both players were also cited for declining a breath test.
Ridgewell joined the Timbers in 2014. He has spent the previous two offseasons with clubs in the English Championship.
Gleeson, who signed with the Timbers in 2010, has eight international appearances for New Zealand.
