Califf Violated Terms of Contract When Injured
Galaxy defender Danny Califf not only broke his nose last week, he also broke the terms of his Major League Soccer contract.
That’s because the 20-year-old Califf did not suffer the injury “during an accident at home,” as the Galaxy initially claimed, but rather while surfing, something he is prohibited from doing under terms of his MLS contract.
The injury also was more severe than the Galaxy acknowledged and will keep Califf from playing in the eight-team CONCACAF Champions Cup that begins tonight at Cal State Fullerton.
The team Friday listed Califf as “day-to-day,” saying his participation in the event--from which two teams will qualify for the third FIFA World Club Championship in Spain--had not been determined.
But there never was any question that Califf would be sidelined for the tournament and, sources said, he was fortunate not to have lost an eye when he was struck in the face by a surfboard on Wednesday morning.
Subsequent surgery at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach involved more than repairing a broken nose and lasted four hours. He was hospitalized for three days.
The timing of Califf’s accident could not have been worse and he probably will incur a substantial fine.
“It’s something we’re going to take care of internally, within the framework of the team and within our disciplinary structure,” Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said Monday.
Schmid said that although the injury was less serious than initially feared it was frightening.
“There was some fear originally that it might have affected the orbit of his eye--and I know a little bit about that because I broke my cheekbone and broke the orbit around my eye as well, so I know what that’s like,” Schmid said.
MLS contracts, like those in other sports, contain clauses prohibiting players from “dangerous activities.” Surfing is in that category.
Califf, from Orange, drew wide praise for his play on defense and also scored some vital goals for the Galaxy and for the U.S. Olympic team last year. He is, however, prone to rashness, and it was his mistakes that led to opposition goals in Olympic qualifying, in the MLS playoffs and in Sydney.
He long has been a surfing fan, but, team sources said, a more experienced player would not have put his career in jeopardy simply for the sake of another wave.
Califf indicated Monday that he has learned that lesson.
“In retrospect, things become a lot clearer,” he said.
“It [surfing] is something that I love to do and that I’ve done for a long time. It’s like an out, something away from soccer.”
The freak accident occurred when Califf’s surfboard flipped up and struck him in the face. He said it came “close, but not that close,” to striking his eye.
“Nine times out of 10, this is something that wouldn’t have happened,” he said. “Obviously, I didn’t go out there to get hurt. It just happened.
“This [being sidelined for the tournament] is not where I wanted to be. I’ve just got to go ahead now and do what it takes to get back. I think the team can do well regardless if I’m there. I think it can win.”
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The Champions Cup opens with a doubleheader tonight featuring two Mexican teams, Toluca (against Olimpia of Honduras) and Pachuco (against Joe Public FC of Trinidad & Tobago), but it was a third Mexican team that drew Schmid’s ire Monday.
Club America is refusing to release Galaxy striker Luis Hernandez for the tournament, even though he has been cleared to play by CONCACAF, U.S. Soccer, MLS, the Mexican federation and even Club America’s own president.
“Obviously, somebody at Club America doesn’t want to see him up here,” Schmid said. “They’re the ones who are stopping him from coming here.
“It’s hard for me to buy that he’s injured after having played 90 minutes [in a 5-1 victory over Santos Laguna in Mexico City] on Sunday. Luis has indicated that he wants to come, that he wants to play.”
Talks between the clubs continued Monday night.
Meanwhile, forward Cobi Jones and defender Greg Vanney, both of whom are not under contract with MLS, signed short-term pacts with the league allowing them to play in the tournament.
“Vanney is very, very close to making a decision [on whether to stay with the Galaxy or go abroad to play, possibly in Spain],” Schmid said. “Cobi’s situation still needs to be discussed after the tournament.”
The Galaxy’s first game is at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday against Real Espana of Honduras at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.
The winner will play the winner of Wednesday’s first game, between D.C. United and Alajuelense of Costa Rica, for a place in the final and a berth in the world championship July 30-Aug. 10 in Spain.
“Obviously, when you look at the teams from Mexico, Toluca and Pachuca are good teams,” Schmid said. “Luckily, we don’t have to run into either of them until the final. Also, Olimpia is a strong team.
“From our side of the bracket, Alajuelense has done well in this tournament before. They’re a very good team. Them and the Costa Rica national team are not that far apart when you look at the identity of the players.”
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CONCACAF Champions Cup
Tournament schedule:
TONIGHT (CAL STATE FULLERTON)
* Toluca (Mexico) vs Olimpia (Honduras), 6:30 p.m.
* Pachuca (Mexico) vs Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago), 8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY (CAL STATE FULLERTON)
* DC United (MLS) vs Alajuelense (Costa Rica), 6:30 p.m.
* Galaxy vs Real Espana (Honduras), 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY (COLISEUM)
* Semifinals--Tuesday’s winners, 7 p.m.; Wednesday’s winners, 9 p.m.
SUNDAY (COLISEUM)
* Third-place game--10:30 a.m.
* Final--1 p.m.
