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The Portland Timbers acquired goalkeeper Jeff Attinella from Minnesota United on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2017. Minnesota selected Attinella from Real Salt Lake in the expansion draft last week but has now shipped him on to Portland. It had been reported earlier in the week that a trade for Attinella would include the MLS discovery rights to former Minnesota player Miguel Ibarra, but the teams did not mention him in the transaction. However, the FiftyFive.One blog reported that Ibarra's rights were indeed part of the deal, though for now the U.S. winger is still a member of Mexican club Leon. Ibarra starred for Minnesota in the NASL before moving to Leon in 2015. The Timbers acquired his MLS rights before the 2016 season in a failed bid to sign him on loan, forcing the Loons to work a trade to bring him back to Minnesota. Attinella, 28, spent the last four years as Nick Rimando's backup for Real Salt Lake. In Portland, he might contend for the starting job with Jake Gleeson, who could still face suspension following his DUII arrest in October.
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