Futty Danso Traded to the Montreal Impact for Second Round Pick

The Portland Timbers made a move today that, were it any other role-player, would not have made a splash. However,m it was not just any player. Futty Danso, the longest serving Timber and one of only two reminaing USL Timbers, was shipped off to joing the Montreal Impact today in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2015.

Futty joined the Timbers at the start of the 2009 USL season, before the announcement that the team would be joining Major League Soccer in 2011. Since then Futty made 100 appearances for the Timbers, including sixty in MLS. His final, 100th, appearance came in the Timbers' 2-0 win over Chivas USA on Wednesday.

The move leaves the Timbers with a centerback corps consisting of Pa Modou Kah, Rauwshan McKenzie, Norberto Paparatto, Danny O'Rourke, and Taylor Peay.

Sending Futty to Montreal frees up some cap and roster space for the Timbers, giving the team some flexibility for further signings this season. What it does not free up is an international roster spot as Futty has his green card, something the Timbers will likely need to do if they are going to bring in any more players from overseas.

The Timbers' press release:

TIMBERS ACQUIRE 2015 SECOND-ROUND MLS SUPERDRAFT PICK FROM MONTREAL IN EXCHANGE FOR DEFENDER FUTTY DANSO

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has acquired a second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft from the Montreal Impact in exchange for defender Futty Danso.

Danso, 31, first joined Portland in 2009, playing two seasons for the second-pision Timbers before the club’s ascension to MLS in 2011. With the MLS Timbers, the Gambian international made 60 appearances (56 starts) since the start of the 2011 season, recording four goals and one assist in the regular season. Across all eras, Danso compiled 100 career appearances for the Timbers and earned his first international cap for The Gambia National Team during the 2011 season.

“On behalf of the entire Timbers organization I would like to thank Futty for his immense contributions to this organization both on and off the field,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “A move like this with such a well-liked and respected player is never easy, but as we look to strengthen the group in the summer, we needed to create roster and cap flexibility. We wish Futty all the best.”

This season, Danso appeared in 10 matches (9 starts) for the Timbers, scoring one goal.

“I would like to thank Futty for his contributions to the club,” said Caleb Porter, head coach of the Timbers. “He has been a class act and true professional. We wish him the best of luck in Montreal.”