Sporting KC Ticker: Jack Jewsbury Traded To Portland Timbers, Three MLS Rookies Signed To Contracts

Jack Jewsbury Traded to Portland

Earlier today, Sporting Kansas City traded away veteran midfielder Jack Jewsbury to the expansion Portland Timbers in exchange for allocation money. Jewsbury will end his Kansas City career with 15 goals in 195 matches in 8 seasons. In Portland, he will have more opportunities in a less crowded and inexperienced midfield.  With the addition of Luke Sassano and his versatility, Jewsbury became expendable. Assuming Peter Vermes sticks with the 4-3-3, the deal all but assures SKC will begin the season with a center midfield trio of Davy Arnaud, Craig Rocastle and Stephane Auvray with Graham Zusi and the aforementioned Sassano providing depth. It will be interesting to see if the team already have plans for the money received.

Three signed to first MLS Contracts

Kansas City also added three players to the roster with the signing of first round SuperDraft pick C.J. Sapong, second round Supplemental Draft pick  Mike Jones and undrafted defender Scott Lorenz.

Sapong is no surprise and should get looks while Teal Bunbury is sidelined with his elbow injury and Ryan Smith deals with knee swelling. Sapong is a dynamic player that fits perfectly into Vermes’s high tempo system. He can play on either wing as well as striker. I expect him to be introduced slowly into the squad just as Bunbury was last season. However, it still is to be seen where Vermes envisions him on the depth chart with so many attacking options.

On the other end of the spectrum, its highly doubtful Jones and Lorenz see much first team action this year unless the team suffers some major injuries. They are likely candidates for the reserve squad.