By IVES GALARCEP
The Caleb Porter era in Portland is in full swing as he helped his new team land the rights to one of the key members of the college team he just left.
The Timbers acquired the Homegrown Player rights to Bryan Gallego and allocation money from the New York Red Bulls for fullback Kosuke Kimura and Portland’s second-round pick in the 2012 MLS Draft.
Sources tell SBI that the trade also involved the Timbers waiving a $75,000 fee the Red Bulls would have had to pay the Timbers for re-signing forward Kenny Cooper.
Sources familiar with the deal also tell SBI that the Red Bulls are sending an allocation worth more than $100,000 to Portland in the trade.
Gallego is a sophomore centerback at the University of Akron. A technically-gifted central defender considered one of the best centerbacks in college soccer, Gallego projects as a top long-term prospect for the Timbers, particularly in the possession-style system Porter likes to play. He is on the small side for a pro centerback (5-foot-10), but Gallego still has the skills to be a good pro.
Kimura gives the Red Bulls more depth at fullback, a position where the team recently re-signed Connor Lade and Brandon Barklage to play.
Overall, Portland looks like the winner in this deal. They secure some allocation money and a top-notch prospect in exchange for a veteran fullback who disappointed in 2012 and a second-round pick.
What do you think of the trade? Which side got the better of the deal?
Share your thoughts below.