Red Bulls Trade: Kenny Cooper Acquired From Portland Timbers

New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Erik Soler had been hinting recently that his team was preparing to make some major roster moves, even if today's MLS SuperDraft was not a big part of the plan. Well, in the middle of the first round of the SuperDraft, Soler delivered. He swapped New York's natural 2013 first round MLS SuperDraft pick and allocation money to the Portland Timbers for star striker Kenny Cooper.

"We are ecstatic to bring in Kenny to our squad," said Soler. "He has an impressive track record in MLS and will certainly play a key role in our push to win the MLS Cup this season. Kenny is a forward we have been impressed with for a while. He brings a number of attributes to our squad that we are confident will help him succeed in our system. He is a proven goal scorer in Major League Soccer and he will give us another fantastic option in our attacking game."

Cooper, 27, scored eight goals and added two assists in 34 appearances for the Timbers last season. From 2009 until January 2011, Cooper was a member of German second division side 1860 Munich. Prior to leaving for Germany Cooper was named to the 2008 MLS Best XI for scoring 18 goals while playing for FC Dallas.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound 27-year-old has 48 goals in 124 career regular-season MLS games.

The trade is drawing a mixed reaction from fans commenting on the Red Bulls web site. Once A Metro has the reaction from the Red Bulls side and Stumptown Footy has the Portland viewpoint.