Donovan Ricketts Picked First by Orlando City FC in Expansion Draft

The Portland Timbers lost their goalkeeper of the last two and a half years to the first pick of the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft. Donovan Ricketts, the 2013 Goalkeeper of the Year, was plucked from the Timbers' roster by Orlando City SC.

After Ricketts' selection the Timbers added Jorge Villafana to their list of protected players.

Rickett's time with the Timbers looked like it was coming to an end when the team signed Adam Kwarasey on Monday, adding a young international keeper with plaudits from the Norwegian Tippeligaen. With four keepers on their roster, and both Jake Gleeson and Andrew Weber having had their options picked up on Monday, Ricketts, 37, appeared to be the odd man out.

Despite a popular backlash against him in the 2012 season after his arrival from the Montreal Impact, Ricketts had been a regular gamechanger for the Timbers since his arrival, winning the Save of the Week award on a regular basis, including a run of three weeks in a row in early 2013.

His form in the 2014 season did seem to be a step back from Rickett's previous efforts, however, and the popular sentiment seemed to be that it was time to move on from the big man as the Timbers retooled their defense following a disappointing season at the back.

In Orlando Ricketts will compete with veteran MLS keeper Tally Hall for the starting spot. Hall comes into the season injured, however, so the competition is Ricketts' to lose.

The Timbers did not lose a second player in the expansion draft.