Roster decisions : https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-announce-2021-roster-decisions To make it short, are gone : Jona Dos Santos, Fisher, Hämäläinen, Acosta, Auggie Williams, Koreniuk, Vom Steeg. Are out of contract but we're still negotiating with : Kljestan, Vazquez, Zubak, Lopez. Our roster right now : Goalkeepers (2): Jonathan Bond, Jonathan Klinsmann Defenders (9): Julian Araujo, Séga Coulibaly, Nick DePuy, Marcus Ferkranus, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Jalen Neal, Daniel Steres, Jorge Villafaña, Derrick Williams Midfielders (7): Daniel Aguirre, Efrain Álvarez, Carlos Harvey, Sebastian Lletget, Jonathan Perez, Rayan Raveloson, Adam Saldaña Forwards (5): Kévin Cabral, Cameron Dunbar, Samuel Grandsir, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Dejan Joveljić
I imagine we're trying to keep Vasquez and Kljestan if they are willing to drop down their salaries. They are probably much less committed to keeping Zubak, but might be willing to for the right price. After all, Preston Judd could easily take his spot (he'll take Augustine Williams' slot at the least). Zubak was making $133K last year, but he's listed as a supplemental roster player (slots 25-28), which has a minimum tag of $63,547. Zubak will still be just under 24 when the year starts, so I imagine he still qualifies. Difference is that as a homegrown supplemental roster player Zubak can share in the up to $125K above the minimum in aggregate teams can play homegrowns under the 2021 rules as a "subsidy" that I think doesn't count against the cap. That money still comes out of the club's pocket, though, and they may have other homegrowns they want to use it for, so I assume they want him to go back down to what he would get without the subsidy. At something closer to $70-80K, he might be worth keeping for his experience if we have no one better in the pipeline. Lopez is a case where signing early as a GK, rather than going to college, might not always be the best thing. It's been awhile since he had regular playing time, even on the GIIs, where Vom Steeg mostly started in front of him this year. He made $81,375 in 2021. They could keep him another year to start him full-time in the G2s, but it may be time for someone new as a developmental GK in the G2s. Might be a place where they could find someone in the lower rounds of the draft if they don't have a prospect in the Academy they like.
I don't know if Vazquez decision is last minute or a typo by MLS website but they have Vazquez as done. "Contract options declined (Nov. 29, 2021): Daniel Acosta (DEF) - eligible for free agency Kai Koreniuk (FWD) Eric Lopez (GK) Oniel Fisher (DEF) - eligible for free agency Victor Vazquez (MID) Augustine Williams (FWD) Ethan Zubak (FWD)"
I thought this was a lukewarm sendoff for a player who gave his all, probably his last years as a soccer player, and was our captain. We haven't had that many captains over the years. Respect to JDS and it's too bad he wasn't part of better teams here, with better coaching - he had the ability. I appreciated his steady play and confident possession.
This is true but Zardes also proves my point. Through many years of hard work his touch and finishing have indeed improved on the margins. But no one would say he has a great touch even now. He still struggles a bit in that area (And no, not nearly as much as the boards say he does!). Overall he's not that different of a player than he was when he played for us. His production has improved but I would say that is mainly due to what he's learned after many years of in-game experience and because of the added strength and maturity that comes with age. I expect the same from Cabral. As he gains experience his decision making will improve in bits and pieces and as his body matures he will become a bit stronger. But the essential Cabral will be Cabral'ing at age 23, 24, 25.... When a player still has a wildly inconsistent touch at age 22, he is telling you something about his abilities. Another way to look at it: Zardes touch at age 22 would probably grade out as a C (for a pro). Now it would grade out at as a B-. It is still below average for MLS starters. His finishing was probably a B- with us and is maybe a B by now. Zardes value comes most from his hard work ethic, great on field attitude and especially his athleticism. Those last three traits were an A when he was with us and they are an A today. Cabral's touch and finishing skills at age 22 would grade out, IMO, as a D or D- (for a pro). Over the next few years I could see it moving up to a D+, but if you want to be really generous it might reach a C-. That is still pretty damn poor. His value will be whatever you can get from a moderately fast, great stamina, high work rate player with C- touch, passing and finishing skills. Sounds like a bench player to me.
I have zero problems with his statements about Jonathan. I think he should have even said more. But I agree with every word you said about Klein's performance and your question about why the hell he hasn't been fired.
Well I agree with all the departures so far. Well except I would like to keep Vazquez as a low priced offensive sub. Maybe we will give him an offer after declining his option? Can it work that way?
I believe that Bruce did that with several players over the years and other clubs have certainly done it with aging stars who would rather take a pay cut then move. So my first inclination is to say sure. On the hand, he is out of contract and can always go outside MLS. There is also the player-coach option, but based upon comments made on Corner of the Galaxy, it wouldn't surprise me, if Sasha took this option as it fits into his plans to go into coaching.
To be clear, I don’t have an issue with Klein’s statement today or any of our roster decisions so far. just don’t agree with Klein being a permanent fixture in our FO. why? Seriously, why? Seems like he somehow is on Phil’s “never fire” list.
I'm not a Vasquez fan. He is a luxury that defensively this team can't afford (along with Efra). We need 11 guys who will press and defend and win the ball back - we need to go back to basics. But as a locker room guy, great - I'm just not sure Vanney won't play him based on past glories. Fire Klein!
Again there is something very few Galaxy supporters consider, it's the international spots issue. With yesterday's moves, we have no empty slot. We currently have 8 internationals on 8 spots : Chicharito, Cabral, Raveloson, Grandsir, Joveljic, Coulibaly, Harvey, Gonzalez. And I'm not counting a potential Vazquez return. I'm sure Pipo Gonzalez will be sent back to Costa Rica but we still won't have a lot of space. No player has been longer than two years with the first team (Chicharito), so it's very unlikely some of them will get green cards. Well, to be fair, Harvey has been with the club for three years but the first two were loans. Outside of maybe Harvey, I don't see any of them leaving. You could say "we can easily trade for one!". That's not completely true, because these spots are more and more valuable. A few teams trade for them last year, and the price was high : 200-225k in GAM. And they will be more and more expensive : next year, a player will count as an international for the whole year if he's still an international by the roster compliance deadline (which will be sometimes before the beginning of the season, in February). It means you can get your green card in April, you're still an international for the whole year (Source : https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/mls-a...rther-strategic-investment-young-domestic-and). That's why re-signing Vazquez seems a bad idea, it's not because of his age or his salary, it's because of his international status who could prevent us to sign more quality players. A new DP 10 (international), Kljestan, Alvarez (and Lletget?) are enough for the CAM spot.
Int’l slots are definitely a consideration, but if Gonzalez and Harvey are loaned out, then we do have a DP slot open for an int’l and one for Vasquez if they can agree to terms. The other slots would then go to MLS vets, draft picks, and academy kids. That’s what I expect Vanney is thinking. Incidentally, according to Baxter’s newsletter, Vanney is going to be the final decision maker on personnel in a revamped front office structure. “With the departure of Dennis te Kloese, the former general manager who left after three seasons to become CEO of Feyenoord of the Dutch Eredivisie, Vanney will have final say over player-personnel decisions, as he did when he was manager and technical director in Toronto. The Galaxy have not said how they will reorganize their front office beyond that.”
I can't take our club seriously anymore, not with Klein at the helm. Nothing but failure after failure. Signings are horrible and catering to a certain demographic with signings was an epic fail. Reading all the money figures is depressing no professional athlete should be making minimum 80-100k! I'm just really bummed out that I don't feel the urgency of winning anymore. It's all marketing and bull manure signings that are way past it or couldn't even smell the grass in Europe. I know I sound very bitter but losing and the way we've been losing has not given me anything to be happy about or look forward to. That's my rant right or wrong it's how I feel about the state of the club right now.
First rumor of a move: My sources have confirmed that midfielder Ilie Sanchez (31) former #SportingKC player is in negotiations with the #LAGalaxy. LA Galaxy want to bring in Ilie Sanchez as a replacement for Jonathan Dos Santos who has recently left the club. Sporting KC have declined his 2022 option.— SKC Trey (@SKCTrey) November 30, 2021
Interesting. What were his wages last year? Adding him as a non DP to bolster midfield and then adding a killer midfield 9 would strengthen things potentially.
He was on a straight 1million salary (no bonuses or prorated transfer fee). So a TAM player. Who has a Green Card. And is a true D-Mid. So might be a good pickup if he has a couple good years left in him. And he leaves open the DP slot.
My question is why did SKC decline his option? Either they believed his performance wasn’t worth his 1 mil salary or else he played fine but was made superfluous by a great impending pickup. The former is much more likely but I don’t know him or the team well enough to say for sure.
I used to know mls rules really well. Is he a free agent where he can negotiate with any team at whatever salary? I think the rules on free agent eligibility is continuing to get a tad easier to qualify. Or are we looking at picking up his $1m option? it could be that we could get him for less then $1m and he considers us an interesting option hence why he’s negotiating with us.
Galaxy exploring trade options for Lletget? • #FCCincy is targeting Jim Curtin for its head coach vacancy• Updates on RSL, Houston and LAFC searches• #LAGalaxy exploring Sebastian Lletget trade optionsMore within a packed #MLS notebook via @samstejskal: https://t.co/T33whGAv56— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR) December 1, 2021
I love Lleget but I could get behind a trade to free up his salary, bring in allocation money, international spots and/or players in return. It seems clear that Vanney's off season objectives is aimed entirely at our midfield which is appropriate. Rayan is the only one I'm 100% is in Vanney's plans for midfield next year.
I'd be talking to Seattle about a potential trade for Morris if I was in charge. Seattle has had a great season where Morris was hurt basically all year, so they really don't need him. For us, Morris would would solve our winger issues.
No rumor here, but if the Galaxy wanted a veteran backup at central defense who understands how Vanney wants to play (especially if Sega was going to be a right back option with Fisher gone), I suppose they could bring in Zavaleta. Of course, they could also bring in Omar, but I'm not sure he's the crafty vet type Toronto FC’s declined options include Omar Gonzalez, Eriq Zavaleta and Patrick Mullins.— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) December 1, 2021
Okay with trading Lleget if what we get in return immediately boosts our squad, but to be honest, Lleget leaving would benefit both sides regardless. I wouldn’t mind Zavaleta as a back up option. He can play CB and DMid right? He’s also a Salvadoran international.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAGalaxy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#LAGalaxy</a> putting Sebastian Lletget and Chicharito up for grabs, (trade options) is now a reality.</p>— The LA Vox (@TheLaVox) <a href="#LAGalaxy putting Sebastian Lletget and Chicharito up for grabs, (trade options) is now a reality.— The LA Vox (@TheLaVox) December 1, 2021 ">December 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Lletget makes sense but what's this about Chicha also being on the trading block?
I would not trust that source. The writer is a tremendous Chicharito HATER. He’s just trying to speak this to existence.