Sporting Kansas City aren’t the deepest team in MLS, but if there’s one place where they’re loaded, it’s the center of midfield. They’ve decided to turn in some of that depth for a chance at improving their roster elsewhere, sending midfielder Jack Jewsbury to the Portland Timbers for allocation money. Per MLS policy, exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Jack Jewsbury has been a first team regular for Kansas City for quite some time, but his first team opportunities looked like they might be limited heading into this season. Davy Arnaud is first choice in the attacking central role, and both Stephane Auvray and Craig Rocastle able to occupy deeper positions. The Sporks have also added Luke Sassano for depth in the offseason, so it makes sense that they would look to offload one of Jewsbury, Auvray, and Rocastle for depth elsewhere. Jewsbury was the odd man out, and he’s now headed to the Timbers.

The trade is a great fit for both teams, since the Timbers are lacking in players like Jewsbury, who is competent in a box to box or holding midfield role. The Cascadia expansion club has plenty going in in attack, but Adam Moffat was the only player on the Timbers roster with MLS experience in a deeper midfield role before the acquisition of Jewsbury.

So, simply put, this trade probably makes both teams better, provided Kansas City put that allocation money to good use and add a player in a different position before the season starts. We don’t know how much allocation money Portland gave up, but it’s probably solid value for both sides. Portland needed experience in the middle, while KC were deep there and willing to offload a 29-year-old. The rare “everyone wins” trade.