PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired goalkeeper Jeff Attinella from Minnesota United FC in exchange for a natural second-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, it was announced today.
“Adding Jeff to our roster addresses a positional need for the club, and we are excited to welcome him to Portland,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers.
Selected by Minnesota as the eighth overall pick in the fourth round of the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft held Dec. 13, Attinella, 28, joins the Timbers after spending the past four seasons with Real Salt Lake (2013-16). While with Real Salt Lake, Attinella made 29 appearances (28 starts), recording five shutouts and 107 saves.
“We’re very pleased to add Jeff as a proven ’keeper in MLS,” said Caleb Porter, head coach of the Timbers. “He will provide quality and experience, and we feel good about our depth in that position.”
Originally drafted in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by Real Salt Lake, Attinella made his professional debut with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Attinella made 56 appearances across two seasons with the Rowdies (2011-12), winning the NASL Soccer Bowl in 2012, while also collecting NASL Best XI honors and finishing second in NASL MVP voting following the 2012 season.
Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire Jeff Attinella from Minnesota United FC in exchange for a natural second-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft
Jeff Attinella
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Born: Sept. 29, 1988, in Clearwater, Fla.
Last Club: Real Salt Lake
College: University of South Florida
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Acquired from Minnesota United FC in exchange for a natural second-round pick in the 2018 MLS
SuperDraft on Dec. 20, 2016
