Freshly-Former Portland Timber Aaron Long Picked Up by the Seattle Sounders

The Portland Timbers only waived Aaron Long three weeks ago, but he has already landed with a new team. As of this afternoon Long was picked up off waivers by the Timbers' Cascadian rivals, the Seattle Sounders.

Following so soon on the heels of the Timbers' week of losses to the Sounders, a 3-1 Open Cup loss and a 2-0 league loss, the pick up of Long rankles, particularly give Sigi Shmidt's long track record of finding good bargins in young, capable players.

Although Long is far from a sure thing, Caleb Porter and the Timbers do not have a reputation as a club that brings along young players, with Darlington Nagbe being the only player drafted by the Timbers in their MLS history to see the field this year.

The Sounders' press release:

Sounders FC Signs Aaron Long

SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC signed midfielder Aaron Long, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Long, 21, was selected by the Portland Timbers in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He went out on loan twice, making five appearances for USL Pro sides Sacramento Republic and the Orange County Blues before being released on July 2.

The Oak Hills, California-native was a two-time Big West All-Conference selection after starting 66 of 71 appearances over four years at the University of California-Riverside. He scored 13 goals and five assists, including a team-high 13 points (six goals, one assist) in 2012.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) - Signed MID Aaron Long

Aaron Long
Position: Midfielder
Jersey Number: 25
Height: 6-1
Weight: 173
Birthdate: 10/12/1992

Hometown (Citizenship): Oak Hills, Calif. (USA)
College: UC-Riverside

Previous Clubs: Portland Timbers (2014)