[MLS 2013 COUNTDOWN] Danny Mwanga, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 SuperDraft, has been traded for the second time in less than eight months, moving from the Portland Timbers to the Colorado Rapids for a first-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Timbers then turned around and signed another forward, 34-year-old Frederic Piquionne.

The trade from Philadelphia to Portland in June 2012 was a homecoming for Mwanga, who moved to Portland from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006.

He played in 18 matches and scored three goals for the Timbers last season after scoring 12 goals in 61 games over parts of three seasons with the Union.

Mwanga wasn't expected to start this season for the Union. The Rapids, on, the other hand, need help up front, where Jaime Castrillon is out following knee surgery and offseason acquisition Edson Buddle is ailing.

The New Caledonia-born Piquionne joins the Timbers after playing the last three seasons in England, including two seasons in the Premier League with Portsmouth (2009-10) and West Ham United (2010-11). His career includes eight seasons in France’s Ligue 1 with Rennes, St. Etienne, AS Monaco and Lyon.

He has one cap for France but most recently represented Martinique during the 2012 Caribbean Cup, helping it qualify for the 2013 Gold Cup.

Piquionne is the Timbers' second French signing in a week. They also acquired defender Mikael Silvestre.

"Frederic made a strong impression during his trial and gives us another quality piece in the striker position,” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “He is a proven professional at a high level and helps our depth with Bright Dike out. We are very pleased about this addition to our club."

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