Kosuke Kimura

(Updated: 3/4/13)

How Acquired:  Acquired on Dec. 3, 2012 and a natural second round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick (which eventually was Ian Christianson, 22^nd overall) in exchange for allocation money and Homegrown rights for New York defender Bryan Gallego.

Originally drafted by the Rapids in the third round (35^th overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft out of Western Illinois University, Kimura became the first Japanese-born player in MLS. He played in 117 total games for Colorado, starting in 109, and recorded four goals and eight assists. In 2010, Kimura featured in 23 matches and was a key component in the Rapids’ MLS Cup Championship-winning season that year. In that playoff run, Kimura started in four matches and scored a goal.

Professional:

2013: Earned his first assist as a Red Bull in his first start with New York in the Mar. 3 season opener against the Portland Timbers on Fabian Espindola's goal in the 24th minute.

2012: Kimura, 28, played in 17 games, starting in 16, and recorded one goal and one assist for the Timbers in 2012. He was acquired in midseason on July 5, 2012 from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for allocation money and an international slot. In the first part of his 2012 season with Colorado, Kimura started 12 games and logged a goal and an assist.

2011: Played and started in all 34 regular season matches for the Timbers, scoring one goal (July 23: a 2-2 draw against New England) and adding an assist. Logged a career high 2,996 minutes along the way.

2010: Tallied three assists over 23 games, 21 of which were starts. Missed six games after suffering a stress fracture against San Jose on May 1, and returned against Toronto FC on July 10. Kimura started in all four playoff games and scored the game winner in the 42^nd minute of the Eastern Conference Final against San Jose on November 13. Was named Rapids Humanitarian of the Year.

2009: Started in 21 games and made 26 total appearances en route to a two-goal, two-assist season. Kimura scored the first goal of his MLS career on May 2, 2009, in the 60^th minute. Record his first MLS assist on August 8 against Chivas USA.

2008: Experienced a breakout season with the Rapids, earning 17 starts in 18 appearances. Was a staple on the Rapids’ back line that maintained an unbeaten streak in September and allowed a league-leading low of only 278 total shots on goal.

2007: Made his professional debut on Sept. 22, a full 90-minute performance. Helped lead the Rapids MLS Reserve side to a championship thanks to his strong play over eight matches.

Collegiate/Club: Kimura spent four years at Western Illinois. During his time there, the Leathernecks compiled a 43-33-7 overall record, the second best four –year run in school history. During Kimura’s tenure there, he scored five goals and tallied 14 assists.