Portland Timbers released three players today, ahead of this afternoon’s MLS Waiver Draft. Freddie Braun, Ian Hogg and Charles Renken were the three casualties, though only Renken was slightly surprising.

Hogg was only added August 9 and spent his brief time with the club playing in the reserve team or out injured. Braun, a former U23 midfielder, was used as a substitute on several occasions this season but never seemed likely to be part of Portland’s long-term midfield plans. Renken was the most talented of the three, and the youngest. His departure suggests that the Timbers were either ultimately convinced, given his history of injuries or simply can only focus on so many youth players.