PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2021 from Austin FC in exchange for defender Julio Cascante. Additional Allocation Money may be received based on Cascante’s performance with Austin.
“On behalf of everyone in the club, I want to thank Julio for his professionalism and commitment,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “After several end-of-year meetings with the player, there was a collective opinion that he needed a new environment to fulfill his aspirations within the game and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Since joining Portland in 2018 from Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa, Cascante, 27, tallied two goals and two assists in 51 appearances (41 starts) across all competitions for the Timbers (2018-20).
“Julio has been a competitive player ever since joining the Timbers and I believe this opportunity in Austin will be very good for his career,” said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese. “I wish him all the best moving forward.”
The Puerto Limón, Costa Rica, native made five appearances (4 starts) and scored one goal in MLS regular-season play for the Timbers in 2020. Last season, Cascante tallied one assist in 22 games played (16 starts). In his first season with Portland, Cascante made 21 appearances (18 starts) and tallied one assist for the Timbers in 2018. The defender scored one goal in three starts for Portland in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play.
Transaction: Timbers acquire $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2021 from Austin FC in exchange for defender Julio Cascante. Additional Allocation Money may be received based on Cascante’s performance with Austin.
