Portland Timbers Acquire Ben Zemanski from Chivas USA

The Portland Timbers' roster makeover continued today when they acquired Ben Zemanski through a trade with Chivas USA. Portland sent allocation money and the rights to Jonathon Bornstein to Chivas for Zemanski. Zemanski plays in the midfield and played at Akron University under the Caleb Porter.

Merritt Paulson tweeted after the trade was announced that conspiracy theorists should not read too much into today's trade:

...and we liked Zemanski long before Caleb got here (as did plenty of other MLS teams) #ZipsConspiracyTheories :)

— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) February 13, 2013

With this trade we also see how using two allocation draft picks on players who were leaving the MLS turned into allocation money and Ben Zemanski. Still not sure if those were the right way to use those picks, but if the money can bring Portland a better player than Robbie Findley and Zemanski does well, then one could say it was the right way to do it, although it would be difficult to argue that it was the plan all along.

What do you think of the trade?

Press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Ben Zemanskifrom Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and the right of first refusal to defender Jonathan Bornstein. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A veteran of three MLS seasons, Zemanski, 24, played in 72 regular-season matches, recording two goals and seven assists with Chivas USA from 2010-12. He was selected by Chivas USA in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft after a notable collegiate career at the University of Akron, where he played under Timbers head coach Caleb Porter.

"We're pleased to add a player of Ben's caliber, as he has proved to be an impact player in this league and fits the ethos of our club," said Porter. "He brings an additional competitive presence that we are confident will help advance the culture of this club even further."

Zemanski appeared in 22 matches last season, registering two assists. Selected in the third round of the 2010 SuperDraft, he was an impact player for Chivas USA as a rookie in 2010, making 17 starts. Zemanski recorded a career-high two goals and four assists in 28 matches during the 2011 campaign. He ranked among Chivas USA's team leaders in games played in each of his three seasons with the club.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Zemanski played collegiately in his hometown at the University of Akron from 2006-09. He helped the Zips claim three straight conference championships and make three NCAA tournament appearances from 2007-09, including a trip to the NCAA College Cup finals in 2009. A two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection, Zemanski played in 86 matches, recording nine goals and 14 assists during his collegiate career. He ranked among the nation's assist leaders as a junior with 10 assists in 2008. Zemanski also garnered Academic All-America third-team honors and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award following his senior season in 2009.

Bornstein, 28, was selected by the Timbers with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft on Nov. 24, 2010, from Chivas USA. He played five seasons with Chivas USA from 2006-10 before joining Mexican first-division club Tigres UANL in 2011.

Ben Zemanski
Pronunciation: zah-MAN-ski

Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Born: May 12, 1988, in Akron, Ohio
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Last Club: Chivas USA
College: University of Akron
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Acquired Feb. 13, 2013, from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and the MLS rights to defender Jonathan Bornstein.