[MLS SPOTLIGHT] The New York Red Bulls were the only team not to have a pick in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, but they made big news on draft day with the acquisition of forward Kenny Cooper from the Portland Timbers. The move immediately triggered speculation that the Red Bulls would then unload unsettled U.S. national team player Juan Agudelo.

Portland acquired a first-round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money from the Red Bulls in exchange for Cooper, who played in all 34 games for the Timbers in 2011, finishing the season with eight goals and two assists. He was signed by the Timbers after playing parts of two seasons in Germany with 1860 Munich.

Cooper gives New York an experienced forward to play alongside Thierry Henry. Despite an impressive start with the U.S. national team, Agudelo was relegated to the bench at New York and played less and less in his second pro season.

Fox Soccer reported that the 19-year-old forward, who had a strained relationship with Red Bulls coach Hans Backe, could be headed abroad.