The Portland Timbers traded Andrew Jean-Baptiste and their 17th pick in the Re-Entry Draft to Chivas USA for Jorge Villafana and the 2nd pick in the Re-Entry Draft. The Timbers have been shopping for a defender in the off-season, which makes this move seem like an upcoming signing may be possible.
Villafana, formerly known as Jorge Flores, was Chivas USA's longest tenured player before the trade, having joined the team following the first Sueno MLS competition in 2007 at the age of 17. in his six seasons with Chivas USA, Villafana has played 86 games, primarily as a left midfielder or left winger, scoring 7 goals in the process.
Trading away Andrew Jean-Baptiste leaves the Timbers with only Pa Modou Kah, Futty Danso, Rauwshan McKenzie, and Mikael Silveste under contract at centerback. Merritt Paulson has, however, teased that more moves are in the works.
Some more things happening as well. Stay tuned folks...may be a front loaded offseason activity for us this yr. Busy now.
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) December 12, 2013
The Timbers' press release:
TIMBERS ACQUIRE JORGE VILLAFANA, No. 2 SELECTION IN RE-ENTRY PROCESS FROM CHIVAS USA IN EXCHANGE FOR ANDREW JEAN-BAPTISTE, No. 17 RE-ENTRY PICK
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired midfielder/defender Jorge Villafaña and the No. 2 selection in Stage 1 of the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Process from Chivas USA in exchange for defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste and the No. 17 selection in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process, it was announced today. The transaction was completed prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline ahead of the Re-Entry Process. Per club and league policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process takes place today via conference call starting at 12 noon (Pacific).
Villafaña, a versatile player who can play left midfield and left back, spent the last seven seasons with Chivas USA (2007-13), appearing in 86 regular-season matches (63 starts) and registering seven goals and six assists. In 2013, Villafaña, 24, compiled a career-best four assists and scored one goal over his 20 league appearances (15 starts).
The Anaheim, Calif., native was a U.S. youth international and played for both the U.S. U-20 and U-23 National Teams. Villafaña made 16 total appearances with the U.S. U-20 National Team from 2007-09, and served as the team’s captain. He earned 10 caps and scored two goals with the U.S. U-20s in 2009, including three appearances in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Villafaña started two games for the U.S. U-23 National Team during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Jean-Baptiste, 21, played in 31 league games (26 starts) over two seasons in Portland, recording two goals and one assist. He appeared in 26 regular-season games during the 2013 campaign, registering one goal and one assist. Jean-Baptiste was selected No. 8 overall by the Timbers in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and during his rookie season in 2012 spent time on loan with the LA Blues of USL PRO.
Jorge Villafaña
Pronunciation: HOR-hay vee-ya-FAH-nyah
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Born: Sept. 16, 1989, in Anaheim, Calif.
Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
Last Club: Chivas USA
College: n/a
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Via trade from Chivas USA along with the No. 2 selection in Stage 1 of the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Process in exchange for defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste and the No. 17 selection.