It's a done deal, fullback Mike Chabala, midfielder Lovel Palmer and an international roster slot are off to the Portland Timbers and in return the Dynamo will receive midfielder Adam Moffat and allocation money.
Moffat is a 25-year old Scottish midfielder who has been in MLS since 2007 when he joined the Columbus Crew.
We got wind of this trade last night when neither Chabala or Palmer were involved with the friendly against Bolton and several sources began confirming that both players were on their way out. Neither player has figured in to Kinnear's plans recently and the trade makes sense on several levels for both clubs.
Chabala has been a fan favorite since being drafted in 2006 by the Dynamo and has been extremely active with various charity activities in the Houston area. It's a bummer to see him go, but hopefully he'll get the playing time he deserves in Portland. It helps John Spencer is well aware of his abilities as well.
This isn't Chabala's first time playing in the Pacific Northwest either. He attended the University of Washington and spent 2006 on loan with the then-USL Portland TImbers.
I'll have more on this story as it develops today, for know, what do you think of the trade?
UPDATE:
Team has released a press release about the trade:
The Houston Dynamo acquired midfielder Adam Moffat and allocation money from the Portland Timbers today in exchange for defender Mike Chabala, midfielder Lovel Palmer, and an international roster slot. Moffat is expected to join the Dynamo immediately.
Moffat, 25, is in his fourth full season in Major League Soccer. A native of Scotland, Moffat began his career with the Columbus Crew in 2007 and was a member of Crew teams that won the MLS Cup in 2008 and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2008-09. In 2010, he set a career high with 23 starts before he was selected by Portland in last year's expansion draft. Moffat will occupy a domestic slot on the Dynamo roster.
"I want to thank Mike and Lovel for their contributions during their time in Houston and wish them the best of luck in Portland", said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "In Adam we're getting a player that's tenacious and has good distribution in his position. His qualities should add strength and depth to our midfield."
Palmer had started Houston's first 16 games of the 2011 season and has made 52 appearances in all competitions over the last two years for the Dynamo. Chabala was an original Dynamo player who made 69 appearances for the club in all competitions since 2006.