Galaxy Striker Ruiz’s Moving Plans on Hold
Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz’s hopes of playing in the English Premier League have been put on hold -- at least for now -- after the manager at Leicester City said the team has halted its pursuit of the one-time Major League Soccer most valuable player.
“We have had him watched, but we are not going to do anything about it,” Leicester City Manager Micky Adams told skysports.com.
That’s a welcome relief for Galaxy fans, who have grown fond of Ruiz in his two seasons in Los Angeles. He was the league most valuable player in 2002 and tied for the league goal-scoring lead in the just-completed season.
Still, there is no guarantee Ruiz will stay in MLS. His agent, Richard Motzkin, had previously said there were several teams in Europe and elsewhere that have expressed interest in the Guatemalan player.
Neither Galaxy General Manager Doug Hamilton nor Coach Sigi Schmid could be reached for comment.
Ruiz, under contract with MLS for two more seasons, even hinted during his rookie year that he might leave before the end of the deal.
“My [MLS] contract is for four years, but I hope that in two or three years I can leave for another type of futbol,” Ruiz told The Times in August 2002. “Maybe Europe or Mexico. My dream has always been to play in Mexico.”
Player Updates
Several top U.S.-based players are thought to be considering options abroad. Any moves would not be possible until the FIFA transfer window reopens Jan. 1. An update:
* Columbus Crew forward Brian McBride, who had a successful stint with Everton in the English Premier League earlier this year, is said to be a favorite of Blackburn Manager Graeme Souness, according to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
Souness told the newspaper that he already has begun negotiations with McBride’s agent, Paul Stretford, although MLS officials have not been formally contacted.
In October, McBride told The Times that he would not consider another loan to a European team. But McBride, whose wife, Dina, gave birth to a baby girl about six months ago, said he wouldn’t rule out a more permanent deal.
* New York/New Jersey MetroStar striker Clint Mathis is on a weeklong trial with Rangers in the Scottish Premier League after having trained with Leicester City.
Rangers, the former team of U.S. midfielder Claudio Reyna, are hoping to arrange a closed-door friendly, Manager Alex McLeish told the Scotsman newspaper, in hopes of fully assessing Mathis’ skills.
Mathis’ contract with MLS has run out, although the 27-year-old has not ruled out re-signing with the league.
FIFA Business
The CONCACAF World Cup qualifying plan that will give the United States a first-round bye was formally approved by FIFA, world soccer’s governing body.
The U.S. will start qualifying June 12 or 13.
FIFA also announced the schedule for the 2006 World Cup, which will take place in 12 German cities.
The tournament will open June 9 in a stadium under construction in Munich. The final is July 9 in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, which is undergoing renovations.
U.S. Training Camp
U.S. national team Coach Bruce Arena has invited 18 players to a weeklong training camp Dec. 12-19 at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
The purpose of the camp, which is the first for the senior national team at the new facility, is mostly to evaluate younger players.
Galaxy players Danny Califf, Chris Albright and Pete Vagenas are among those expected to be in attendance.
Others invited include: goalkeeper Jonny Walker (MetroStars); defenders Todd Dunivant (San Jose Earthquakes) and Evan Whitfield (Chicago Fire); midfielders Ben Olsen (D.C. United) and Brian Mullan (San Jose); and forwards Chris Carrieri (Colorado Rapids) and Pat Noonan (New England Revolution).
Mexican League
Dario Veron’s goal in the 60th minute brought UNAM Pumas, coached by Mexican legend Hugo Sanchez, to a 2-2 road tie against Toluca in a first-leg quarterfinal playoff game in the Mexican league.
After Joaquin Botero had given Pumas a 1-0 lead six minutes in, Toluca responded with goals by Maximiliano Cuberas in the 20th minute and Jose Saturnino Cardoza on a penalty kick in the 45th minute to take a 2-1 halftime lead.
Quick Passes
The New York/New Jersey MetroStars traded defender Steve Jolley, a former Galaxy player, to the Dallas Burn for defender Tenywa Bonseu and a third-round pick in the 2004 MLS draft.... The Canadian Soccer Assn. has received permission from MLS to negotiate with San Jose Earthquake Coach Frank Yallop about taking over its national team.
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Times staff writer Paul Gutierrez and Times wire services contributed to this report.
