Donovan to L.A. ????

We think you're a newbie. Oh I'm sorry, did someone else want to do that first? Welcome to BigSoccer.

Now back to the question at hand, I don't really think that he means it in any way other than the fact that he wants to stay in California. He has often made his dislike for the Galaxy known based on the team's rivalry, but I don't think this would be some coup like Figo going from FCB to Real Madrid.

Before he comes to LA, I imagine that he'd go back to Germany. But if he did end up here, think of the combination play with him and Ruiz...golden. Wouldn't hurt to have MLS's poster boy playing in its poster stadium.

 

well we'd have a lock on the "most dives per season record". though i doubt the MLS big wigs would let us have both donovan and ruiz.

i actually think this would have been a good move for MLS if the earthquakes still exist next season. right now players move to teams and no one really cares. a donovan to LA switch of ruiz to almost chivas would be, well not exactly figo-esque, but alan smith-esque. it'd only work though if the equakes still exist next year though. no fan is going to blame him not wanting to go to texas.

 

I'm a fan of Donovan and I blame him for not going to Texas......Donovan is such a little baby....couldnt handle it in Germany so came back to Cali....If Donovan doesnt get his way then he throws a fit and the MLS big wigs come crawling to their knees.......I think he needs to suck it up for once and be a man. Sometimes things dont go your way..........My dad doesnt want to go to Iraq but he doesnt have a choice.....it should be the same for Donovan.....Go to Germany/Texas or stay in Cali and be a picky whiny girl.

 

Ugh. Our Pescadito to Chivitinas? And Baby freaking Jesus in return? I mean, I'd be ok with Donovan putting on the G's uniform (I learned to accept Clemens and Boggs...) but losing Fish? No way. I'd much rather see Baldy Smurf go to Chivas. That way we can all still dislike him properly, as is the natural order of things.

 

I've seen some Galaxy fans salivating over the thought of having both Ruiz and Donovan. I'm glad SObearCal is acknowledging there's no way that will happen. If Donovan tells the league he wants to play in L.A., the league will move Ruiz to another team. Having two players on one team combine for roughly $1 million in salary would be a destruction of the strict parity rules. It would also create a team far too strong in international competition, and the league wants to avoid that.

 

I see Donovan going to LA if three things happen.

1. MLS buy out his contract from Leverkusen, or extend the loan
2. Televisa buy the San Jose Earthquakes
3. The Earthquakes are moved to Houston, and are rebranded in the image of Club America

All three of these things are at the very least, likely to happen. I disagree with people who think he would rather go to Germany than play for the Galaxy. He has bought a house in California and has made it clear that he doesn't want to go to Germany. Plus, he has already said that he would consider going to LA.

Club America is going to want a marquee player, and I'd be willing to bet that if they could choose any one player in MLS to be their star, it would be Ruiz. He is currently the only MLS player that gets real attention on spanish language television. They speculate on whether or not he will go to Mexico because they believe that he is above MLS. I'm sure they would be more than willing to trade Donovan to LA for Ruiz as it would be a much better sell to their target audience. On LA's side, they would be getting probably the best player in MLS, but more than that, they will be getting a marquee US national team player. Perhaps that could play well into their USA/Mexico rivalry with Chivas USA. On Donovan's side, he would be able to stay in California and not have his life shaken up by this whole situation. Let's face it, Donovan is gonna do what's best for him. I don't blame him one bit. There is no way in Hades that he is going to turn down a move to LA just because they were the rival of his possibly defunct former team. Remember, I'm basing this on the fact that San Jose would no longer have a team.

I give this a 75% chance of happening. If all three of the things on my list take place, I'd give it a 99% chance.

 

I agree there are a lot of things working in the favor of this actually coming to fruition - he's from Redlands too obviously.

BUT, don't forget that its vital that the Galaxy maintain their Central American fan base which I'm guessing accounts for 30-40% of the fans. After Cien left there was a noticable drop off and if Ruiz leaves there would be another fan drain.

 

That is a very good point, as is any point that would express Galaxy fans unwillingness to give up Ruiz.

I happen to think that you guys have what it takes to fill that stadium, even without Ruiz, but you guys obviously have a better grasp of the situation than I do. Even when not considering attendance, I can understand why people might not want to part with Ruiz. He is a fantastic player and is the most consistant scoring threat this league has ever seen. I personally think Donovan is a better all around player, but there is no denying Ruiz's skill. I see this as a win/win situation, but I'm looking at this from an outsider's point of view. Like I said, I just think that there is a good probability of this happening.

 

If Donovan goes to LA, my bet is the Goats. I don't see MLS letting us have two good forwards. I don't like the little bastard and putting him with our new rivals would be a match made in heaven.

 

LOL! That is hilarious! You have me laughing nearly out of my little fake leather cubicle chair. I totally agree with you. There's no way MLS will allow a true marquee team. You end parity and you end our already limited attention span!

good post.keep it up.

 

I can't imagine anyone ever moving back to Redlands, even if it was their hometown.

 

The Goats wont take donovan. And I dont know if I would be all that happy with Donovan. I like Ruiz way better and he seems to love us.

 

Also (to continue analyzing this one) Ruiz will have fewer club vs. country conflicts next year than Donovan, which gives a big edge to Ruiz.

 

I find it interesting that everyone assumes Ruiz will still be in MLS next year. Isn't this the last year of his MLS contract (or at least the loan from his Guatemalan club)? It seems like he would be more attractive to a European side if he's now a free transfer (depending on the terms of his contract with CSD Municipal). Ruiz is about to turn 25--approaching his prime. If ever there's a time for him to make the jump overseas it would be now.

 

Fish was in talks at the start of the season for a new contract. Remember his comments about wanting to be owned outright by MLS not Municipal? I'm pretty sure he did sign a new deal though I don't recall seeing any announcement.

 

Fish's original contract is through 2005, but I don't recall if he ever got the extension he was looking for.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562134306

At this point, it's tough to say what will happen with either of these guys since they are both capable of playing overseas and that possibility looms...

 

Ruiz has an even bigger edge because he is WILLING to go.

 

when compared to san antonio i can imagine that just fine someone wanting to return to redlands. lesser of two evils, but still.