Austin FC are set to acquire defender Julio Cascante from the Portland Timbers, sources tell MLSsoccer.com. A source adds the deal would be for $250,000 in allocation money.
Cascante, 27, joined Portland from Saprissa ahead of the 2018 season and made 48 appearances with the club, though only appeared in five matches this year.
The Costa Rican will join expansion side Austin who are putting together their inaugural roster. The club have signed Paraguayan attackers Cecilio Dominguez and Rodney Redes, but will enjoy a flurry of acquisitions as they get closer to their MLS debut.
Additionally, Portland remain in negotiations with Pumas UNAM about acquiring Felipe Mora on a permanent basis. A source adds he had a $4 million purchase option as part of his loan agreement but the Timbers are working to find a new deal. The player is hopeful to extend his stay in Portland but the sides are not close at the moment.
Mora, 27, had seven goals and two assists in 19 appearances (12 starts) in his first season in Portland.
The Timbers are off to a busy start to their offseason. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported Thursday that Portland traded homegrown fullback Marco Farfan to LAFC and agreed a deal to acquire Argentine left back Claudio Bravo from Banfield.
Portland won the MLS is Back Tournament this summer but were eliminated from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by FC Dallas last week.
