PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers participated in the Major League Soccer Expansion Priority Coin Toss Wednesday to determine the first pick in the 2011 Expansion Draft or the SuperDraft and priority in other player-acquisition mechanisms.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC won the coin toss between the two 2011 MLS expansion sides. Vancouver will announce its selection of the first pick in the Expansion Draft or the SuperDraft on Wednesday, Aug. 11. The clubs will then alternate choices through the priority list, which includes USL player priority, allocation ranking, designated player ranking, discovery ranking, lottery ranking and waiver/re-entry draft ranking.
The Expansion Priority Coin Toss was held as part of the 2010 AT&T Major League Soccer All-Star Game in Houston, Texas, on ESPN2; the coin toss aired during halftime. Timbers technical director Gavin Wilkinson was on hand to represent the club during the coin flip.
About MLS Portland Timbers
On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in 2011 in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of “Soccer City USA” in the Rose City.
Player Mechanisms:
First pick in the MLS Expansion Draft First pick of those players left unprotected by existing MLS clubs.
First pick in the MLS SuperDraft
First pick in the college and Generation Adidas entry draft.
USL Player Priority on opening of signing period The
Timbers and Whitecaps will be given priority over other MLS teams, if they wish to sign a player out of the USSF D-2 Pro League/USL.
Allocation Ranking
Priority on any MLS or USA international players returning to the league.
Designated Player Ranking
If two MLS clubs wish to negotiate with a Designated Player (DP), the club with the higher DP ranking slot will receive priority.
Discovery Ranking
If two MLS clubs wish to discover the same player, the club with the higher ranking slot has priority to negotiate with the player.
