Toronto FC announced Wednesday that the club has acquired the highest first round pick (currently third overall), goalkeeper Joe Bendik and allocation money from the Portland Timbers in exchange for goalkeeper Milos Kocic and forward Ryan Johnson.
“It’s always difficult to trade players who’ve been important members of the team. It’s a testament to Ryan and Milos that there was great interest in them around the league,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “We wish Milos and Ryan the very best.”
RELATED: Watch - Bendik in action
Kocic, 27, made 27 league appearances this season for Toronto FC. The Serbian keeper started in all four of the club’s Amway Canadian Championship matches and one CONCACAF Champions League match. Kocic joined Toronto FC in 2010 from D.C. United. In three seasons with the club he made 53 appearances in all competitions.
Johnson, 28, made 39 appearances and scored ten goals in all competitions this season for Toronto FC, including being named the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship M.V.P. The Jamaican international was acquired on July 14, 2011 in a trade with the San Jose Earthquakes. Johnson made 63 appearances and scored 18 goals in all competitions with Toronto FC.
Bendik, 23, made five appearances and started in three games this past season for Portland. He signed with the Timbers in February after spending two seasons with Norwegian club Sogndal. Prior to his professional career, Bendik played four seasons at Clemson University where he finished among the school’s career leaders in a number of statistical categories.
Payne added “We have a lot of work to do, from a roster and a salary cap standpoint, and this is a first step. Our objective is to put together a group of young, talented, athletic and hungry players that we can keep together for years to come.”
“We are trying to develop a new culture and philosophy at Toronto FC and we want to assemble a group which will buy into that approach absolutely. We’re excited about this trade and look forward to the draft in the new year.”
Toronto FC now hold the first and third overall draft picks in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Joe Bendik
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’3
Weight: 205 lbs.
Date of Birth: April 25, 1989
Birthplace: Marietta, Georgia
Citizenship: American
Last Club: Portland Timbers
Acquired: Trade with Portland on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 along with Portland’s highest first round pick (currently third overall) in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money for Milos Kocic and Ryan Johnson.
