PORTLAND, Ore. – Orlando City SC today selected Portland Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft.
Ricketts, 37, appeared in 73 matches (all starts) for the Timbers after joining the club midway through the 2012 season in a trade with the Montreal Impact. A longtime Jamaican international, Ricketts made an MLS-career-high 105 saves in 32 matches for Portland in 2014, compiling a 12-7-12 record with seven shutouts and a 1.38 goals-against average. In six MLS seasons, Ricketts has made 167 appearances, logging 53 shutouts while being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice (2010, 2013).
“Donovan has been a top goalkeeper and a first-class professional on and off the field during his time in Portland and we wish him all the best in the future with Orlando City; he will be missed,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “We entered the offseason with a sound strategy and have remained committed to it with our signings and Expansion Draft planning.”
Both New York City FC and Orlando City SC participated in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft, each selecting 10 players to help build their respective rosters ahead of the 2015 MLS season. All other MLS teams were allowed to protect 11 players from selection. Additionally, players still under the Generation adidas designation and Homegrown players on a team’s Supplemental Roster at the end of the season were protected, leaving all other players unprotected and available for selection. No team could lose more than two players, and after losing a player, the club was allowed to protect a 12th, and final, player.
“I’ve truly enjoyed working with Donovan and appreciate everything he’s invested in our club,” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “The offseason continues to go as planned and it’s a huge positive we will maintain a very strong core and with our depth intact. This allows us to enter the season with continuity and keep building towards a successful 2015.”
No other Timbers players were selected in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft. Click here for a full list of results.
