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Recap of LA Galaxy 2015 Pre-Season Roster Changes

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With only a few days to go before the start of the 2015 Major League Soccer Season, let’s recap the off-season roster activity of the 2014 MLS Champions—the LA Galaxy. Many players left the team, but several new players signed contracts with the club.

New Players:

  • Steven Gerrard
  • Ignacio Maganto
  • Edson Buddle
  • Daniel Keller
  • Andrew Wolverton

During the 2015 Major League Soccer Super Draft, the LA Galaxy selected three players: Ignacio Maganto (a forward from Iona in Spain), Daniel Keller (a defender from Louisville), and Andrew Wolverton (a goalkeeper from Penn State).

After a successful training period with the LA Galaxy, the team will be signing Edson Buddle. He played with the Galaxy from 2007-2010 and then again in 2012. In his previous years with the Galaxy, he played a key role in the offensive strategy. When he recovers from his injury, let’s hope he will see some minutes on the field!

About a month after their fifth MLS Cup win, the LA Galaxy announced the signing of its new designated player—Liverpool FC’s Steven Gerrard. He signed an 18-month contract and will arrive in Los Angeles sometime in July to begin his stint with the Galaxy. Hopefully when he comes to America, Gerrard will be fit and ready to start! He will be an important asset to help the club win its sixth MLS Cup!

Re-Signed Players:

  • Rafael Garcia

Released Players:

  • Brian Perk
  • James Riley
  • Chandler Hoffman
  • Kyle Venter

Transferred Players:

  • Marcelo Sarvas

I’m sad to see Marcelo Sarvas leave the team because of his success with the Galaxy, but I wish him the best, nonetheless. In an attempt to sign Sacha Kljestan from Belgian football club Anderlecht, the LA Galaxy traded Sarvas to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for a higher allocation ranking. Unfortunately for the Galaxy, Anderlecht transferred Kljestan to the New York Red Bulls.

Retired Players:

  • Rob Friend
  • Landon Donovan

Unfortunately, Rob Friend retired at the end of the season because of concussions. He ended his career as a champion, and we are thankful for the time he committed to the LA Galaxy.

With all of the new players, it will never be the same when I watch the LA Galaxy. This season will mark the first time the LA Galaxy have not had Landon Donovan on its roster since the team signed him in 2005.

Who will step into the big shoes left behind by number 10? It could be any one of the midfielders returning from the victorious 2014 season or even newcomers Ignacio Maganto or Steven Gerrard. Let’s just hope someone steps up early on in the season and stays healthy!

For more information, check out these links:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/transactions/2015

http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/beat/2015/01/07/los-angeles-times-confirms-liverpool-fc-legend-steven-gerrard-signing-la-galaxy

http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/post/2015/01/15/la-galaxy-trade-marcelo-sarvas-colorado-rapids-third-allocation-ranking

http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/beat/2015/03/02/bruce-arena-confirms-la-galaxy-will-be-signing-edson-buddle-end-week

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things LA Galaxy and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!

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