FC Dallas selected former Portland Timbers striker Maximiliano Urruti with the first pick of the MLS Re-Enty Draft on Friday.
A day earlier, FC Dallas had traded allocation money to the Chicago Fire to acquire the top pick.
Urruti scored 15 goals in 67 appearances over three seasons with the Timbers, mostly playing as a late-game substitute.
He was one of Portland's heroes in the club's MLS Cup run, scoring the equalizing goal in the 118th minute to force penalties in the knockout round.
BREAKING: @FCDallas selects Maximiliano Urruti with the 1st pick in the 2015 Re-Entry Draft. Full release to follow. pic.twitter.com/3npSy74LMH
- FC Dallas (@FCDallas) December 11, 2015
The Timbers had declined the option on Urruti's contract on Monday, making him eligible for the draft. FC Dallas, who have seen relatively high priced players Blas Perez and David Texeira depart this month, will inherit the terms of that option.
Urruti's selection was one of only two made in the first stage of the draft on Friday. Sporting Kansas City picked former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Alec Kann with the 11th pick.
Next week, players selected in the second stage of the draft will be able to negotiate new contracts with the clubs that select them.
On Wednesday, the Colorado Rapids made the only pick of the Waiver Draft, selecting midfielder Micheal Azira, formerly of the Seattle Sounders.