PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired winger/forward Darren Mattocks from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for Targeted Allocation Money in 2016, and General Allocation Money and an international roster slot in 2017, it was announced today.
“Darren is a versatile attacking player that brings additional MLS and international experience to the club, and we are excited to welcome him to the team,” said Gavin Wilkinson, GM/president of soccer for the Timbers.
Mattocks, 25, made 93 career appearances (52 starts) over four-plus seasons with Vancouver, scoring 19 goals and tallying six assists after being drafted by Whitecaps FC as the second-overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Akron.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to add Darren Mattocks to our roster as another dynamic attacking option,” said Caleb Porter, head coach of the Timbers. “Darren is an exciting player that has game-changing pace and has displayed his goal-scoring ability in MLS and with Jamaica. He can provide depth in the striker role or as a winger and will bring another weapon to an already strong attacking group.”
Named to the MLS “24 Under 24” as one of the top young players in the league in both of his first two seasons in the league, Mattocks scored seven goals in his rookie 2012 season to top the annual list and has appeared in 20 or more games in each of his first four MLS campaigns.
At the international level, Mattocks, a native of Portmore, Jamaica, has scored 12 goals in 31 appearances for Jamaica since making his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over El Salvador on Aug. 15, 2012. Mattocks opened his account for Jamaica in 2014, scoring six goals in eight games, including three finishes during the 2014 Caribbean Cup, which the Reggae Boyz won for a sixth time.
In 2015, Mattocks was included on Jamaica’s Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup rosters, scoring in a 2-1 win over the United States in the semifinal and against Mexico in the Gold Cup final.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Mattocks helped the Akron Zips win the 2010 NCAA College Cup.
Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire winger/forward Darren Mattocks from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for Targeted Allocation Money in 2016, and General Allocation Money and an international roster slot in 2017.
Darren Mattocks
Position: Winger/forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Born: Sept. 2, 1990
Hometown: Portmore, Jamaica
Citizenship: Jamaica
Acquired: Acquired from Vancouver Whitecaps FC, March 14, 2016
