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Timbers deal for Cooper is official

  Kenny Cooper 2 (ISIPhotos.com)

The Portland Timbers bolstered their attack at last week's MLS Draft with the selection of Akron striker Darlington Nagbe, and now the Timbers have officially added an ideal partner for Nagbe in former U.S. national team striker Kenny Cooper.

Portland announced the acquisition of Cooper on Monday, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate. The former FC Dallas forward and recent 1860 Munich player returns to MLS after having made a $1 million move to 1860 Munich in the summer of 2009.

Injuries plagued Cooper's most recent stint in Europe, including a broken ankle that forced him to miss most of the current season, but he will still be expected to step in and give the Timbers attack an established MLS goal scorer.

Portland's roster features several forward options now. Along with Cooper and Nagbe, the Timbers also have former USSF Division 2 standouts Eddie Johnson and Bright Dike, as well as midfielder Ryan Pore. Timbers head coach John Spencer could wind up using Nagbe in a midfield role, and Portland could also field a 4-3-3 at times this season.

What do you think of the addition of Cooper to the Timbers? Think he can come back to MLS and be a double-digit goal scorer again?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I love soccer… i really do. I love everything about it. But the only redeeming quality about Cooper is that he played for Man United back in the day. He couldn’t cut it. And he still can’t. He’s just the only one with any training so ppl tolerate it. I think hes too big, slow, not good with his head… pity really. no offence cooper!

    writer for http://www.datecover.com

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  2. He started well for 1860. Scored on his debut. I believe even with injuries he scored like 3 goals in 12 or so matches. Not bad considering he was on an average 2 Bundesliga team. Injuries cut him short and he went on a loan to Plymouth in the Championship and flopped there instead of trying to re-gain his spot at 1860. That cost him the 5th striker spot for the US in South Africa.

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  3. Cooper was healthy and did get into a match right before the winter break for 1860. Had it not been for dire finacial woes at 1860 I don’t think 1860 would have let Cooper go. So to the question of his injuries and ability to perform immediatly at Portland? I would guess that he will be ready and will be a great addition to Portland.

    As to money owed to Dallas, I believe releasing Cooper from his contract with 1860 offically got him off 1860’s books and cleared that finacial obligation by the club.

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  4. Did you read the question, or just assume you knew what you were talking about? They asked if it was resolved where Munich still owed money on the transfer from FCD. If Munich still owed 500k on the million they agreed to pay, I would think that MLS worked something out so FCD got whatever percentage that remained…but I am just guessing.

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  5. Gosh. I have always been a big fan of Coop because I am an FCD Fan. I am not gonna hate him just because he did not come back to Dallas. Good for you Kenny. I hope you return to stellar form and play well enough to get called up to the Nats again.

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  6. What became of the issue where Munich still owed payments to MLS/FCD for the original buy? Did they get out of that because they let him come back on a free? Seems Dallas would need some compensation still right?

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  7. This is a wise acquisition. Obviously, he has to stay healthy–but that’s a risk with any relatively big money acquisition that you count on to play a critical role.

    Cooper (if healthy) and Nagbe is a very credible MLS front-line. Cooper (in form) is a fine striker and a decent candidate for the MLS team–you know he can play in the league and won’t have adjustment problems.

    Now, the downside is that even counting his MLS career, he’s had trouble staying healthy. And it’s more than being healthy–he’s not in-form now. Even Bobby Convey took some time to rediscover his game. While I expect Cooper to be a force this year, I also wouldn’t be shocked if it turns out that he’s not a big factor until 2012.

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  8. It’s pure speculation on my part, but Wood got called up to the first team in the past two weeks, and Cooper is the one forward who has left the team.

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  9. It would be very exciting to see a 4-3-3, but I’ll hold my enthusiasm until I see who they bring in to man the central mid position.

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  10. From what I’ve seen, no ligament damage, always just broken bones. He might take some time to get rolling again after being out for so long, but I think the odds are pretty good to see him return to form.

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