The Colorado Rapids hope Marcelo Sarvas cane provide some bite to its midfield.
By Ivan Yeo
There has been no rest for the weary, even if you’re the reigning MLS Cup champions.
The Los Angeles Galaxy were busy on MLS Superdraft day, as they dealth a key piece to its 2014 championship team in a deal that could perhaps lead to another acquistion down the road. The Galaxy sent midfielder Marcelo Sarvas to the Colorado Rapids and in return, LA received allocation money as well as the third spot in the MLS allocation order.
The money and the allocation spot could be key for the Galaxy, as they have been long rumored to be interested in former Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, currently with Anderlecht. The Galaxy thought they had Kljestan back in August when they traded defender Kofi Opare and a 2015 second round draft pick to DC United as part of a swap of allocation spots, ironically leaving the Galaxy third on the order, a position they currently sit at following the trade of Sarvas.
The Kljestan deal however did not materialize in August and it is believed that it was the league that scuttled that deal, which led Bruce Arena to criticize the league, which in turn resulted in a fine against head coach/general manager. The Galaxy are once again linked to Kljestan, but would still have to hope that Montreal and San Jose, the two teams currently ahead of the Galaxy in the allocation order, pass on the midfielder. That however is not quite assured, particularly if another team decides they want Kljestan and tries to swing a deal with either of the two teams ahead of LA.
Even if the Galaxy find a way to land Kljestan, the productivity that Sarvas brought to the Galaxy midfield will still be hard to replace. Sarvas teamed with fellow Brazilian Juninho to form a potent tandem in LA’s central midfield that made life difficult for opponents that last two seasons. Sarvas was also huge for LA in its drive to its fifth MLS Cup back in November, scoring two clutch goals in the playoffs. Also, with Steven Gerrard’s much-anticipated arrival still about six-months away, the Galaxy, even if Kljestan arrives, might have to endure for the first few months of the season before help arrives.
As for the Superdraft, the Galaxy used the 21st selection in the draft on Ignacio Magnato, a striker from Iona College. Magnato scored 27 goals and assisted 14 others in his four years at Iona and in his senior year, won the MAAC offensive player of the year honors and was named to the NSCAA Northeast first team.
