Galaxy Updates On Coach, Expansion And Roster
- Updated: December 12, 2016
It has been a busy day for the Galaxy and for Major League Soccer, yet there has not been a single game.
Rosters were selected for 2017 as well as players listed as protected or unprotected during the upcoming expansion draft, which will add Minnesota United and Atlanta United.
For LA, this has proven to be the busiest period in a long time from retirement of players, to contract negotiations to coaching staff changes.
On Monday, Los Angeles acquired the rights to, now former DC United midfielder, Miguel Aguilar with a fourth round pick in 2019 MLS SuperDraft. However, the new addition is not protected for the expansion draft as Aguilar played in just six games for DC in 2016 without ever earning a start.
The Galaxy have not protected Leonardo, Landon Donovan, Rafael Garcia, Steven Gerrard, Alan Gordon, Baggio Husidic, Robbie Keane, Dan Kennedy, Jeff Larentowicz, Mike Magee, Aguilar, Ari Lassiter, Dave Romney and Aguilar.
Donovan announced he was retiring once again, Gerrard ended his 18-month Galaxy career with a retirement from the sport and Keane parted ways with the Galaxy in an emotional exit from the club.
With those players not coming with much surprise, LA could lose a prospective first team player in Lassiter after having a successful career with LA’s USL club LA Galaxy II, nicknamed “Los Dos.”
Gordon and Husidic have been regular first team players along with Magee (who returned to LA from the Chicago Fire) and Larentowicz, who all made plenty of cameos throughout the season. Garcia has been with the Galaxy for years and has been part of MLS Cup winning teams, specifically the 2014 MLS Cup-winning Galaxy team (the most recent championship for the club).
Romney was given chances during Bruce Arena’s reign at LA after injuries to Robbie Rogers and Ashley Cole left an opening at left back for Romney to take advantage of.
LA fans might be hoping for one player on the unprotected list to get picked up in the expansion draft: Leonardo. The Brazilian center back had trouble in the Galaxy backline for years now and has a career filled with highlights fit for a blooper reel.
Los Angeles is also set to announce a new head coach during a press conference on Tuesday with many believing LA Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo will be announced as Arena’s replacement.
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Galaxy and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!
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