The Portland Timbers have traded Sal Zizzo to MLS Cup winners Sporting Kansas City in exchange for an unspecified amount of allocation money.
Despite occupying a regular spot on the Timbers' bench, Zizzo has been on the outside of the Timbers first team since Caleb Porter began reshaping the club in his image. A speedy winger with a penchant for dribbling to the end line, Zizzo's playing style never quite fit in with the club's new possession-first mentality.
In the 2013 season, Zizzo played in ten games for the Timbers, coming in as a sub in all but two of them. Although he saw spot duty at fullback when the Timbers needed someone to press forward, it often seemed like he was just being used there until a more suitable player could be brought in.
Zizzo finished the 2012 season as one of the Timbers few in-form players, looking like a promising piece for the upcoming overhaul as he dished four assists from his right wing role in the last two months of the season.
The Timbers' press release:
TIMBERS ACQUIRE ALLOCATION MONEY FROM SPORTING KC IN EXCHANGE FOR SAL ZIZZO
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired allocation money from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for midfielder Sal Zizzo, it was announced today. Per league and club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Zizzo, 26, made 60 league appearances over his three seasons in Portland (2011-13), notching two goals and seven assists. He played in 10 league games in 2013, scoring one goal. The San Diego, Calif., native has played four seasons in MLS with Chivas USA (2010) and Portland after starting his professional career in Germany in 2007.