Thirty minutes before the 2012 MLS Draft was set to start, the New York Red Bulls, otherwise not picking until near the end of the second round, have made the first big flash of the day.
Sources have confirmed to FOX Soccer's Ives Galarcep that New York will acquire Portland Timbers forward Kenny Cooper. Seperate sources report the deal will send a 2013 first round draft pick and a large amount of allocation money to the Timbers.
The exact amount was uncertain at the time of this report.
Cooper, who became a start in the league with Dallas before moving to Germany in 2009, returned to Major League Soccer last season after his contract expired with 1860 Munich. In 34 games (29 starts), Cooper scored eight goals, also tallying two assists.
The goal rate was a pronounced drop from the 40 goals Cooper had scored in 90 previous games through his four years with FC Dallas (2006-2009), who he joined after being released by Manchester United.
Now Cooper joins a forward-rich New York team that also has Thierry Henry, Luke Rodgers, and Juan Agudelo on its roster.
However, part of the motivation for the deal is the growing belief that US national team striker Juan Agudelo will not be with the Red Bulls much longer. A strained relationship between Agudelo and head coach Hans Backe, who sources believe has never really rated Agudelo highly, looks set to precipitate Agudelo's departure, likely via transfer.
