Look My sense was that while some people internally though Micovic could step up this year, others thought none of the GKs from last year were good enough. Kuntz likely took that as grounds for taking the route that gave us the most cap flexibility, which was parting with Bond. I don't know that McCarthy is a solution, but he might be a compromise for now.
Bonds stats have gotten slightly worse each year he has been with the Galaxy. I really don't blame him for the defense's issues last year. But if you look at McCarthy's stats for 2023 at LAFC, they were very similar to Bond's in 2022. Meanwhile Bond was getting paid $400k more.
Bond started out on fire for us but regressed steadily after those first few games. He and Dejan both have gone backwards. Coaching. Whole past regime?
From the Kadji Sports Academy to the #LAGalaxy We have signed forward Aaron Bibout to a two-year deal through the 2025 @MLS season with two club options years through 2027.📰: https://t.co/fxN7b9szcn | @kinecta pic.twitter.com/7bxf757afh— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 23, 2024 Without a Green Card, I assume we loan him down to the G2s again. We don't have any international spots left I think.
I thought we had one extra after acquiring 2 from NE and waiving Mavinga. Can't say I like the idea of using one on a third forward that hasn't really impressed in any of his first team opportunities (including this preseason). But...his stats for G 2 are pretty good. Maybe I haven't seen his best yet.
This hurts because I think Bond was a solid keeper that had to deal with a front 4 that wasn't heavy on defense. I am at least glad that this was done as a mutual decision versus an outright "You're Fired!" situation.
Watching Painsil's highlight reel. Is it just me or does this guy look like Kevin Cabral accept with the ability to finish consistently? I hope so because he will work out great here if so. I can wait to see Riqui feed him Pec and DeJan all at the same time. I want someone to livestream a scrimmage lol.
4’s Up to G’s Up 💙🤍💛We have signed midfielder Tucker Lepley to a one-year deal through the 2024 MLS season with three club option years through 2027.📰: https://t.co/3IoObFSCE0 | @kinecta pic.twitter.com/2e91R5dvRf— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 23, 2024 I like Lepley and thought he deserved to make it (especially in a thin-ish position at AM), but it's kind of hard for Kuntz to say he was a "priority" for us in the draft when we took him in the third round.
According to CoG last night, we needed to waive Mavinga just to get compliant even after we acquired two spots from New England. The view was that we kind of have an extra one since we can always loan down Vivi to open up another spot, but that we actually needed either Vivi or Mavinga to go to be compliant right now. Either way, hard to justify using a spot on Bibout if for no other reason than he needs to play regularly and he won't get that with the senior squad.
Paintsil got his P-1 Visa! Kuntz must have brought over his immigration guy when he moved here from LAFC Joske is ready 😤Joseph Paintsil has received his P1 Visa and is available for selection this Sunday against Inter Miami CF. pic.twitter.com/8s7actqfq1— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 23, 2024
Something tells me that although this is posted the day he gets his visa, Paintsil was out earlier than today just, you know, voluntarily kicking it around with some other guys at the park because it sure as heck wasn't raining this morning, right? First look at @josephpaintsil_ training with the @LAGalaxy. 👀@LAGalaxy host @InterMiamiCF on Sunday (9pm ET, #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV). pic.twitter.com/mhTA7DE8ou— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2024
He wouldn't have entered the country without having the visa. That was the whole point of going back to Brazil for his appointment at the embassy and waiting for the visa before traveling here.
While he impressed early on with some shot stopping, I can count quite a few games we would comment often that "brick wall" bondy had "bricks" for hands himself. I respect how well he integrated and how well he committed to being one of us while here, and his classy "good bye" back to you Bondy
Pec confirmed has his visa and is available Gabriel está pronto para jogar 🇧🇷@gabrielpec01 is available for selection this Sunday against Inter Miami CF. pic.twitter.com/O3M0u9jnct— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 23, 2024
I don't think you need a P-1 Visa to train. I seem to remember foreign players training with the Galaxy while on vacation in Los Angeles while Beckham was on the team and possibly even later.
Reminds me of the good old days of the Galaxy getting visas sorted quickly. Glad to see the drive is there
And most importantly the willingness (chutzpa?) to go to Phil to get the approval for a massive spend and the ability to convince him that it was necessary. Not to mention overriding Dan Beckerman's "budgetary" controls we have heard mentioned in the past.