Report: Portland Timbers trade David Guzman to Columbus Crew

After a quiet spring, the Portland Timbers are making changes ahead of the approaching trade deadline. David Guzman, who has been in Portland since 2017, is headed to the Columbus Crew in exchange for an international roster spot.

Initially reported by Jame Coban on Twitter, both Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian and Jeff Carlisle of ESPN have confirmed the trade. In addition, Carlisle reports that the Timbers are moving an international roster spot in a yet-to-be-finalized deal.

Guzman started four games this season before being replaced by youngster Cristhian Paredes. Whether causal or merely a correlation, that replacement coincides with the Timbers improvement, and so it would appear Gavin Wilkinson and Gio Savarese have decided Guzman is not a crucial part of the team headed forward.

In a little over two seasons in Portland, Guzman made 50 appearances for the club, scored four goals, and assisted on eight. While with the Timbers, Guzman continued his international career with Costa Rica, where he’s made 54 appearances, including three at the 2018 World Cup.

The move opens up cap space for PTFC, and will potentially add more Allocation Money if they’re able to sell the international spot they receive from the Crew. Perhaps more moves are coming ahead of the deadline.