PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired veteran defender Michael Harrington from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for allocation money, it was announced today. Per club and league policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Harrington, 26, has played all six seasons of his MLS career with Sporting KC, appearing in 149 matches, logging more than 11,600 minutes and recording five goals and 14 assists with the club. The No. 3 overall pick by Sporting KC in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Harrington ranks among the club’s career leaders in regular-season games played, starts (128) and minutes (11,633) played.
WATCH: Harrington's perfect cross leads to Kamara goal
“Michael is a versatile player with MLS experience who can fill a variety of roles,” said Timbers General Manager Gavin Wilkinson. “He will be a great addition to the organization for the way that [head coach] Caleb Porter wants to play and is expected to fight for a starting position.”
A native of Greenville, N.C., Harrington started nine of his 11 league appearances for Sporting KC in 2012, helping the club allow the fewest goals (27) in MLS last season. He played in 23 matches in 2011, contributing to Sporting KC’s run to the Eastern Conference final. After a standout rookie season in 2007, Harrington was named the club’s rookie of the year.
Harrington played collegiately at the University of North Carolina, where was a two-time All-ACC selection and helped the Tar Heels make four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2003-06. He played in 82 games and recorded four goals and 14 assists during his collegiate career.
At the international level, Harrington was a member of U.S. youth national teams at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels, competing in the U-17 and U-20 FIFA World Youth Championships in 2003 and 2005, respectively. He was one of the original members of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., in 1999.
Michael Harrington
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Born: Jan. 24, 1986, in Greenville, N.C.
Hometown: Greenville, N.C.
Last Club: Sporting Kansas City
College: North Carolina
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Trade with Sporting KC on Dec. 3, 2012, in exchange allocation money.
