Galaxy shores up midfield
The roster moves continue for the Galaxy.
With midfielder Kevin Harmse expected to be out three to six weeks because of a left knee sprain, the Galaxy traded forward Nate Jaqua to Houston for Kelly Gray and a second-round pick in the 2008 draft.
“At least we made a quick decision and got this player in,” Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop said. “[Gray] is a good player and will help us.”
Gray will enter as a central midfielder, a position at which he says he is comfortable. Chris Klein, who played in the center during the Galaxy’s 3-2 loss to Columbus on June 23, will move to right fullback.
With the recent additions of strikers Carlos Pavon and Edson Buddle, Jaqua’s playing time probably would have been limited. He scored eight goals for Chicago in 2006 but had one this season for the Galaxy.
Jaqua and Gray played together at the University of Portland for two years and were All-Americans in 2001. Before enrolling at Portland, Gray played for the club team Los Gatos Metro and was coached by Paul Bravo, a former Major League Soccer All-Star and current assistant coach with the Galaxy.
Gray, a San Jose native, trained with the Galaxy on Tuesday morning and probably will start tonight against Chicago.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Gray said. “It’s close to home for me. It’s perfect.”
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GALAXY TONIGHT
vs. Chicago, 7:30, FSN West
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 1700, 830.
Records -- Galaxy 2-5-3; Fire 4-6-3.
Record vs Chicago (2006) -- 0-1-1.
Update -- The Galaxy will have Landon Donovan available for the first time since his stint with the U.S. national team for the Gold Cup. Coach Frank Yallop said Donovan might see some time on the center line, playing behind Carlos Pavon and Edson Buddle. “We’ll have some nice choices to make, which will be great,” Yallop said. Pavon received his visa -- and clearance to play -- last week. Galaxy defender Ante Jazic, who played for Canada in the Gold Cup, will start for the first time since his call-up. Because of Copa America, Chicago will be without forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, with the Mexican national team, and forward Justin Mapp, who is with the U.S. squad. The Fire also will play without Chris Rolfe, Osei Telesford and Thiago because of injuries. Chicago played to a scoreless draw with Colorado on Sunday and has not won since June 3. “I expect them to come out chomping at the bit,” Galaxy midfielder Peter Vagenas said.
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CHIVAS USA TODAY
at FC Dallas, 3:30, Prime Ticket
Site -- Pizza Hut Park.
Radio --1020.
Records -- Chivas 6-4-2; Dallas 8-6-2.
Record vs. Dallas -- 1-0.
Update -- Shavar Thomas is back after serving a one-game suspension for a red card, but Chivas will head into this Western Conference battle without five regulars. Two players are out because of suspensions (Claudio Suarez, red card; Paulo Nagamura, yellow card accumulation) and three others (Jonathan Bornstein, Brad Guzan and Sacha Kljestan) are in Venezuela with the U.S. national team for the Copa America. Chivas, which has played four fewer games than first-place Dallas, is third in the standings, six points behind the leader. Chivas signed Justin Myers, 22, on Tuesday to a developmental contract. He is the third keeper on the 28-man roster and we’ll serve as the team’s backup until Guzan returns.
-- Jaime Cardenas
