Timbers get Kimura from Rapids

Kimura played in 12 of Colorado’s first 17 games this season, contributing a goal and two assists. Kimura has four goals and eight assist in 117 career MLS matches.

He did not play in the Rapids’ last two matches, including last Saturday’s win over the Timbers. Kimura said he had discussed the possibility of a trade with the Rapids but was told a trade was unlikely.

After Wednesday’s Colorado loss to Vancouver the message changed. And by Thursday morning Kimura was practicing with the Timbers.

“It was tough. But at the same time I’m really, really excited to be here,” Kimura said of his reaction to leaving his only professional club. “I’ll do anything — anything — I can to bring a championship here.”

Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson said the deal was negotiated over “many, many weeks.”

Under MLS policy, the amount of allocation money involved in a trade cannot be announced. Wilkinson said the Timbers still have “several hundred thousand” allocation dollars to use to acquire players in the future.

The first Japanese player in Major League Soccer, Kimura played a key role in Colorado’s 2010 MLS Cup championship run. He scored the winning goal in the semifinal round against San Jose.

According to data released by the MLS Players Union, Kimura will earn $71,466 this season.

Kimura’s MLS contract expires after this season, but Wilkinson described Kimura as a player who enjoys MLS, and the GM envisions Kimura staying with the Timbers long term.

Kimura said Spencer told him he wants the veteran to be a vocal presence and leader to help Portland’s young roster succeed.

“I’m up for that,” Kimura said. “I’ve been in MLS for almost six years. I know what it takes and I won a championship. So I think I can bring something to this club. Hopefully they can accept me and we’re going to build a good team here.”

Portland has not had a natural right back in its lineup during its 11/2 seasons in Major League Soccer. Team captain Jack Jewsbury, usually a midfielder, has played the right back spot over the past two months.

“For me, anything you can do to help the team is what you do,” Jewsbury said. “I played (right back), felt decent. If he needs me for longer I can still play (right back), but hopefully I’ll slide back into the middle.”