By IVES GALARCEP
The New York Red Bulls traded away Kenny Cooper both for the allocation money he could bring in, and the salary cap space his departure would create, and now the team has made the first move since dealing Cooper to FC Dallas.
The Red Bulls have acquired midfielder Eric Alexander from the Portland Timbers in exchange for allocation money, sources confirmed to SBI on Monday. Sources tell SBI the allocation amount is $75,000, with Portland also paying a portion of Alexander’s salary.
(UPDATE- The Red Bulls and Timbers have confirmed the trade.)
Alexander produced six assists in 24 matches with the Timbers in 2012, never quite showing the qualities that made him a rookie standout with FC Dallas in 2010. He became expendable after the Timbers roster shake-up that included the arrivals of Will Johnson and Diego Valeri.
The Red Bulls will be banking on Alexander providing creativity in central midfield, where he could see time next to former FC Dallas teammate Dax McCarty, who he partnered with on the FC Dallas team that reached the 2010 MLS Cup Final.
The trade makes sense for both sides, with the Timbers dealing from depth, and the Red Bulls landing some sorely-needed midfield depth. Alexander could wind up being a steal for New York if he can show the form he showed as a rookie, which helped him earn a U.S. Men’s National Team call-up in January of 2011.
What do you think of the deal? See Alexander providing quality depth for the Red Bulls midfield? Think the Timbers should have held on to him, or do you think Portland already has enough midfielders?
Share your thoughts below.