ACQUIRED: Was acquired July 5 in a trade with the Colorado Rapids in exchange for allocation money and an international slot through the end of 2012.
Kimura, a veteran of six MLS seasons, played for the Colorado Rapids from 2007-12, appearing in 117 matches and recording four goals and eight assists. He was a key part of the Colorado squad that captured the 2010 MLS Cup and helped the club make postseason appearances in back-to-back seasons in 2010-11. Kimura was originally drafted by Colorado in the third round (35th overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft, becoming the first Japanese-born player in MLS.
2012: Appeared in 15 consecutive matches from July 7-Sept. 29, including 12 straight starts (July 7-Sept. 15) ... Notched his first assist for the Timbers in a 3-2 loss at New York on Aug. 19 ... His assist at NY was his third overall in 2012, matching a career high set in 2010 ... Left the match in the second half due to a nose fracture and mild concussion ... Has started eight straight games since joining the Timbers on July 5 ... Has the longest active starting streak on the Timbers roster ... Scored his first goal for the Timbers on July 14 against the LA Galaxy on his home debut for the club ... Made his Timbers debut, playing the full 90 minutes against Real Salt Lake on July 7 ... Acquired July 5 in a trade with the Colorado Rapids for allocation money and an international roster slot through the end of the year.
2011: Was one of three players to start all 34 regular-season matches for the Colorado Rapids … Scored his third-career MLS goal in a 2-2 against New England July 23 … Logged a full 90 minutes in three 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League matches, playing against Isidro Metapan (Aug. 17), Real España (Aug. 23 and Sept. 21) … Started two matches of the 2011 postseason before fracturing his left foot against Sporting KC on Oct. 30.
2010: Played in 23 matches (21 starts) during the regular season and started all four postseason matches to help the Rapids win the MLS Cup … Scored the game winner in the 42nd minute of the Eastern Conference final against San Jose on Nov. 13 … Logged three assists during the regular season, including assists in back-to-back matches against Philadelphia on Sept. 25 and Real Salt Lake on Sept. 29 … Missed six matches during the season due to an ankle injury sustained May 1; returned to the Starting XI at Toronto FC July 10 … Started at left back for the first time in his career July 31 vs. FC Dallas … Was named Rapids Humanitarian of the Year for his work off the field during the season.
2009: Appeared in 26 matches (21 starts) with the Raids, logging career highs in minutes (1,932) and goals (2) … Recorded first-career MLS assist Aug. 8 against Chivas USA … Scored the first goal of his MLS career May 2 in a 2-0 win over rival Real Salt Lake … Tallied the game-winning goal in the 79th minute of a 1-0 win over FC Dallas July 11 … Registered his first MLS assist in a 4-0 victory over Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Aug. 8.
2008: Had a breakout season playing in 18 games, 17 as a starter, for Colorado … Helped the Rapids secure an unbeaten month of September and was a part of a backline that held opponents to a league-low 278 shots.
2007: Selected by Colorado in the third round (35th overall) of the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft … Became the first Japanese-born player in MLS … Made professional debut Sept. 22, playing 90 minutes of a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake … Was a member of the Rapids Reserve squad that won the MLS Reserve Division championship, playing in eight matches and recording an assist.
COLLEGE: Played his collegiate career at Western Illinois University, where he helped the Leathernecks compile a 43-33-7 record during his time on campus; it’s the second-best, four-year class record in school history … Overall, scored five goals and tallied 14 assists … As a senior in 2006, was named to the Mid-Con All-Conference Second Team, Mid-Con All-Tournament Team, MVP of the Bowling Green State Invitational, Mid-Con Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence and to the Mid-Continent Fall Academic All-Conference Team … In 2005, earned All-Mid-Con First-Team, was named the WIU team MVP, Mid-Continent Academic All-Conference Team and Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence … Named to the All-Mid-Con Second Team as a freshman in 2003.
PERSONAL: Majored in athletic training at Western Illinois … Before his college career, Kimura played high school soccer in Japan … Finished eighth nationally in the 2002 All-Japan Youth tournament with Kawasaki Frontale … Played in 13 games for the USL Premier Development League’s Thunder Bay Chill in 2004.