Impact swap Felipe, No. 1 allocation to Red Bulls for Oyongo, Alexander
The Montreal Impact on Tuesday traded midfielder Felipe and the top spot in the MLS allocation order to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for Cameroonian left back Ambroise Oyongo, midfielder Eric Alexander and other considerations, the teams announced Tuesday. Felipe had been with the Impact since the club's debut MLS season in 2012.
Montreal will also receive allocation money and an international player spot for the 2015 season. For the Red Bulls, the allocation place clears the way to potentially sign U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who has been linked to the club. The allocation order determines which teams have the priority to acquire a player from the U.S. national team who is signing with the league or players who have previously left MLS for a transfer fee and are returning.
• Kljestan scores twice in Anderlecht's Belgian Cup match
Felipe scored three goals and logged six assists for the Impact over 31 games in 2014. Alexander, who has two caps for the USA, had two goals and nine assists this past season for New York, while Oyongo had three assists over 13 games in his debut MLS season.
• Oyongo nets equalizer in African Cup of Nations
"It's a trade that helps improve our current roster by adding two quality players, while the allocation money and international spot gives us more flexibility within the salary cap and our roster," Impact technical director Adam Braz said in the statement.
• Red Bulls hire Marsch to replace ousted Petke
Montreal opens its 2015 MLS season March 7 against D.C. United. The Red Bulls will host Sporting KC on March 8.
- Will Green
