TORONTO - Facing a logjam in midfield, Toronto FC sent Collen Warner to the Houston Dynamo for a conditional second-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

The pick could turn into a first-rounder depending on Warner's production with Houston and how the Dynamo fare, according to a source.

With captain Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou and Canadians Will Johnson and Jonathan Osorio competing for roles in Toronto's three-man midfield, Warner became expendable.

"With our current depth in midfield, we felt we could make a move to acquire a future asset and we've accomplished that with this deal," Toronto FC GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement Wednesday.

Warner, 27, had two goals and four assists in 51 appearances for Toronto, which acquired him in a May 2014 deal with Montreal.

Combined with the waiving of forward Herculez Gomez, the trade left Toronto's roster at 25 players. Mo Babouli, an academy product who excelled at training camp, is expected to be rewarded with a first-team contract soon.

Warner was originally taken 15th overall in the 2010 draft by Real Salt Lake.

"We're very pleased to welcome Collen to the Houston Dynamo," Dynamo GM Matt Jordan said in a statement. "His extensive MLS experience, athleticism and quality in the midfield will be a welcomed addition to our group ... Collen's profile brings something different to our already talented midfield, creating strong competition moving forward."

Warner was hampered by a hamstring injury at Toronto's training camp.