New York Red Bulls acquire Felipe, top allocation spot in trade with Montreal Impact

The New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact swung the first big deal of the offseason on Tuesday, a trade that has the former in line to make another big move in the coming weeks.

The Red Bulls acquired midfielder Felipe and, more importantly, the top spot in the MLS allocation rankings, sending left-back Ambroise Oyongo, midfielder Eric Alexander, allocation money and an international roster spot in the other direction.

The moves paves the way for the Red Bulls to sign U.S. international midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who has been linked with a move to New York from Belgian side Anderlecht throughout the transfer window.

As for the Impact, the trade gives head coach Frank Klopas two pieces to help get his team into the playoffs for a second time in franchise history.

"It's a trade that helps improve our current roster by adding two quality players, while the allocation money and international spot gives us more flexibility within the salary cap and our roster," Montreal's technical director Adam Braz said in the statement.

The updated MLS allocation rankings reads as follows:

1. New York Red Bulls
2. San Jose Earthquakes
3. LA Galaxy
4. Chicago Fire
5. Houston Dynamo
6. Philadelphia Union
7. Portland Timbers
8. Sporting Kansas City
9. Vancouver Whitecaps
10. Columbus Crew SC
11. FC Dallas
12. Real Salt Lake
13. D.C. United
14. Montreal Impact
15. Seattle Sounders
16. New England Revolution
17. Colorado Rapids
18. Orlando City
19. New York City FC
20. Toronto FC