Timbers awarded first pick in MLS Expansion Draft

PORTLAND, Ore.
— The Portland Timbers have been awarded the first pick in the 2011 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft, it was announced today as a result of the Expansion Priority Draft conducted by Major League Soccer between the Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.




The Timbers and Whitecaps selected priority among eight player-acquisition mechanisms as the two clubs prepare for their inaugural MLS season in 2011. Technical director
Gavin Wilkinson
represented the Timbers in the selection process.




In addition to the first pick in the Expansion Draft, Portland will have the second selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft as well as priority over Vancouver in designated player ranking, discovery ranking and lottery ranking.




“Today is a significant milestone for the organization and sets up how we approach the development of our MLS roster,” said Wilkinson. “The results of today’s draft help reinforce the direction of the organization and allow us to go one step further in identifying and researching players of interest.”




The Whitecaps have the first pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, and subsequently have priority in allocation ranking, USL player ranking and waiver/re-entry draft ranking. 




The designated player ranking allows priority if one or more MLS clubs wish to negotiate with the same designated player. The discovery ranking awards priority if multiple MLS clubs attempt to discover the same player. Lottery is the mechanism used to add SuperDraft eligible players, who the league attempted to sign before or after the SuperDraft who no team has any rights to.




About MLS Portland Timbers

On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league’s 18
^th
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.