Galaxy Subtracts, Then Adds

The Galaxy made two personnel moves Tuesday, trading midfielder-forward Jovan Kirovski to the Colorado Rapids, then reacquiring defensive midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, 23, from Sao Paulo of Brazil. The moves freed a roster spot and room under the salary cap so that forward Herculez Gomez could be moved from the developmental roster to the full roster.

Kirovski had just finished training for tonight’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal at the Home Depot Center when he was told of the trade.

The Galaxy received a first-round pick in the 2007 MLS draft.

Kirovski was mildly surprised by the development but not necessarily displeased. He and Coach Steve Sampson had not been on the same page for some time.

“I’m sad to go because we have great fans here and the best facilities,” Kirovski said. “But it’s important to play for a coach that you respect and that also has respect for you, and I didn’t feel that at all from Steve.”

Doug Hamilton, the Galaxy’s president and general manager, told Kirovski he was being sent to Denver. “I haven’t even spoken to Steve and I really don’t want to,” Kirovski said.

The former U.S. national team player appeared in 51 games, starting 47, during his two seasons in Los Angeles. He scored 12 goals and assisted on seven.

Hamilton said the Rapids, who Tuesday also acquired Colombian forward Diego Serna, had been trying for some time to get Kirovski.

“”I knew something was brewing but I wasn’t sure,” Kirovski said. “I mean, I spoke to Steve last week and he sort of was half and half, like he wanted me here, but I didn’t believe it.

“I know when I was with the national team, we didn’t see eye to eye. I just think that he didn’t want me here.... I’m surprised, actually, that I lasted this long.”

Kirovski started in the Galaxy’s 4-1 victory over the Rapids on Saturday, a game that produced the Galaxy’s most flowing soccer of the season. It was also the first time in 27 games that that particular starting lineup had been fielded.

The constant chopping and changing, Kirovski suggested, might explain the team’s 11-11-5 record.

“[Sampson] has been changing the lineup so many games, I don’t think he knows his lineup yet,” Kirovski said. “That’s hard in any sport, whether it’s football, baseball, any sport. By this time of the season, you should have a starting team and try to get some consistency.”

Sampson saw it differently. “I could not commit to consistent starting time for him, given the level of competition on the team right now,” he said.

The pending elevation of Gomez, who has scored nine goals in league and cup play this season, is a reward for that performance. The addition of Saragosa, who played 29 games for the Galaxy last season, starting 27, is intended to help at the back.

“We have had some defensive difficulties in the last month or so and this is an effort to shore that up,” Sampson said.

When Saragosa played for the Galaxy last season, he was on loan. Now, the Galaxy has him outright.

Kirovski said he was looking forward to joining former national team teammates Fernando Clavijo, now Colorado’s coach, and Marcelo Balboa.

“They are people I respect as coaches,” he said. “They know the game. They have a promising young team and I’m excited to play for them.”