Making Moves

Here's a look at three more moves in what has already been a busy MLS offseason:

1) Marco Pappa traded to Colorado. Pappa's two year stint with the Sounders has drawn to a close as the Guatemalan midfielder was shipped to Colorado for cash earlier this month. It comes as a bit of a surprise that Seattle would cut ties with the useful midfielder, but in addition to Pappa, the Sounders will also be heading into 2016 without Lamar Neagle (DC United), Michael Azira (Colorado) and Andy Rose (Coventry City) in addition to having Chad Barrett, Leonardo Gonzalez, Troy Perkins, Gonzalo Pineda and Zach Scott all not under contract. Pappa should provide an immediate boost to the Rapids' league-worst attack and adds a veteran presence to their midfield. The MVP of the 2014 Copa Centroamericana has 35 goals and 27 assists in 161 regular season matches for Seattle and Chicago, and has also notched three assists in ten postseason appearances. He also scored this gem against the U.S. during World Cup Qualifying in 2012.

2) Maximiliano Urruti taken by FC Dallas in re-entry draft. Without Urruti's contributions in 2015, the Portland Timbers wouldn't be your MLS champions. It was, after all, Urruti's 118th minute goal against Sporting Kansas City that forced a shootout in the wildcard game. Despite making just 24 starts over the past two seasons, Urruti scored 14 goals for the Timbers to go along with five assists. Now, Urruti joins a club that has a hole up top following the departures of Blas Pérez and David Texeira. While Urruti projects as more of a super sub/role player than a target forward, his addition to what is already a youthful Dallas squad is certainly intriguing and should help the team with the best regular season record in the West in 2015 be competitive once again next season.

3) Chris Klute traded to Portland. Just days after the Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup Final, defender Chris Klute was shipped from the runners up to the champions for cash. Klute ends up leaving the Crew after just one season in which he made only eight starts. Klute began his MLS career with the Colorado Rapids and served as a regular along their backline in 2013 and 2014. He was the Rapids Defensive Player of the Year following the 2013 season in which he also contributed seven assists and subsequently earned an invite to the U.S. Men's National Team Camp in early 2014. He now joins the defending MLS Champions who have a need for him following the departure of left back Jorge Villafaña to Santos Laguna (Liga MX).