Paul Tenorio reports this morning that D.C. United has sent the rights of forward Kennedy Igboananike and an international roster spot to the Portland Timbers in exchange for a second round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Tenorio goes on to say that Igboananike’s option was declined and should he stay with the Timbers/MLS, a pay cut down from his $900,000 base salary is likely in order. The 27-year old forward was acquired in July from the Chicago Fire and played sparingly for the Black-and-Red, appearing in 7 games with 2 starts. His only goal for D.C. was scored in the final regular season game, a 4-2 loss to Orlando City SC.
For D.C., Igboananike’s departure was in the cards with the emergence of Patrick Mullins as a starting forward and D.C. presumably retaining Alhaji Kamara for the coming season (the team has not yet released their list of options picked up for 2017). With this departure and Alvaro Saborio previously announcing he would be leaving, the team will have to acquire some help at forward over the offseason. Whether this comes with a rumored acquisition of Jose Guillermo Ortiz or not remains to be seen. D.C. will regain 2 international spots at the end of 2016 after separate transactions made with Orlando and New York City FC in December of 2014. With the addition of Portland’s second round draft pick, United now have the 12th, 32nd and 34th 43rd picks in the SuperDraft next month.
Additionally, this also would mean Igboananike will not have to be protected in the expansion draft for Minnesota and Atlanta (at least, not for D.C. United). Lists are expected to be released at Noon today.
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