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Update: The Vytas move is now official.
Multiple journalists are reporting that Portland Timbers left back Vytas Andriuskevicius has been sold to DC United for $50k in Targeted Allocation Money, but more importantly the move would open up a senior roster spot for the Timbers, giving the team some flexibility to add another player.
The transfer has not yet been made official by the club.
According to the Washington Post’s Steven Goff, the Timbers will be responsible for half of Vytas’s 2018 salary after the transfer is complete.
Having only played 21 minutes in MLS this year due to a combination of competition and injuries, Vytas has been far from a key piece for the Timbers in 2018. In his absence, Zarek Valentin has locked down the starting spot at left back. Additionally, the Timbers have highly regarded youngster Marco Farfan on the roster and have proven willing to give him minutes at left back over the last two years, making 14 appearances and playing 737 minutes since joining the side late in the 2017 season.
Vytas joined the Timbers in the summer of 2016 and has made 37 regular season appearances for the Timbers, chipping in a goal and four assists during that time. Vytas also played two matches during the Timbers’ 2017 playoff run, assisting on the Timbers’ lone goal in their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to the Houston Dynamo.
Sam Stejskal is also reporting the Timbers are not yet done in the transfer window and will be bringing back Lucas Melano, as well as making another significant addition.
Hearing that the Portland Timbers are finalizing Lucas Melano’s return to the team and working toward another significant addition, details of which aren’t yet known. Can also confirm the Vytas to D.C. trade, as first reported by @SoccerByIves and @SoccerInsider.
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) August 7, 2018
Update: The Timbers press release:
TIMBERS ACQUIRE $50,000 IN TARGETED ALLOCATION MONEY FROM D.C. UNITED IN EXCHANGE FOR DEFENDER VYTAS
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired $50,000 in 2018 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from D.C. United in exchange for defender Vytas Andriuškevičius.
“Vytas has been a first-class professional and a terrific teammate in his time with the Timbers,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “We are sincerely appreciative of his service to the club, both on the field and off, as he contributed a great deal of time and energy in unselfishly giving back to our community.”
Originally acquired by the Timbers on July 14, 2016, Vytas, 27, made 37 appearances (29 starts), tallying one goal and four assists in three MLS campaigns as a member of the Timbers, including a two-assist effort in Portland’s 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 23, 2017. Vytas posted a career high for MLS appearances (23) in the 2017 campaign.
“It has been a pleasure coaching Vytas this season and we wish him all the best with his new club,” said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers.
In 2018, Vytas made six appearances (3 starts) across all competitions, earning three starts in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as the Timbers advanced to the quarterfinals.
Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire $50,000 in 2018 Targeted Allocation Money from D.C. United in exchange for defender Vytas Andriuškevičius.