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Galaxy sign Alajuelense midfielder Sarvas

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By ADAM SERRANO

Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was busy adding to the defending MLS Cup champions Monday, making four picks in the MLS Re-Entry Draft and hitting the international market as well. Following the Re-Entry Draft, Arena announced the signing of former Alajuelense midfielder Marcelo Sarvas on a conference call with reporters.

Sarvas, the former captain of the Costa Rican power, had gone public with the Galaxy's interest in him in recent weeks. The Brazilian midfielder is no stranger to the Galaxy, either, as he made two appearances for Alajuelense against the Galaxy in CONCACAF Champions League play in 2011, going 90 minutes in both matches.

"He's a good experienced central midfielder that I think is going to help our team," Arena said. "He's played against us twice this year, we know the player, he's a good player. He's a good passer and an experienced two-way midfielder, I think that he's going to be a good addition."

What do you think of the signing?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Anyone who watched the second half of the MLS Cup saw the potential of a Keane/Donovan attacking combo. Had they capitalized on their chances, the game would have ended 4-0 or 5-0. That being said, without a solid replacement for Beckham and/or Juninho, LD should remain on the wing.

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  2. It’s one thing to offload Angel on the Clippers (hahaha, I like that) since he wasn’t producing with LA, but I’ll rue the day Juninho plays for any other team in MLS. I’m like a jealous ex-girlfriend. If I can’t have him, no one can.

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  3. one stipulation of the young DP rule is that they have to be new to the league. Unfortunatly this rules Juninho from becomming an underage DP.

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  4. I think Donovan has been a better wing player, but partnered with Keane, they would create many high quality chances working off each other. Given the soccer IQs of the 2 players and their passing abilities, it would be a dynamic tandem. Although perhaps the best formula is what Bruce did in the MLS cup: start with a strong holding strike partner with Keane, wear down the defense and then put Landon up top at the 60 minute mark.

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  5. 3 DPs overall, of any age.
    And I think it might be under 21 or 22, in which case Juninho wouldn’t even qualify for a young DP. Not that it would matter, as he can’t be the Galaxy’s fourth DP and they’re not replacing Beckham with Juninho.

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  6. i remember MLS releasing new rules regarding young DPs where they significantly take a less of a cap hit than compared to regular DPs. Can someone help me out? I believe Juninho is 22 and would qualify as one so it wouldnt be that painful for LA’s deep pockets…….unless a team can only have 3 total DPs…man im lost, is it 3 overage DPs and unlimited young DPs…..oh, i dont know,

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  7. Leonardo is also on loan from Sao Paolo…I dont think LA will keep him. Boyens is the perfect backup for Omar. Juninho is a bigger priority. Don’t count out Beckham’s return either…He is good friends with Sarvas.

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  8. No, I like this move. You get a a starting Right Mid if Beckham stays, or a starting CAM with experience if Beckham bolts. He doesn’t break the bank, so you can go after a big name Striker to pair with Keane.

    Drogba, perhaps???

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  9. THis guy is good, but I think LA should have gone after Carlos Hernandez of Melbourne Victory. He was the best player on the field in that friendly. It’s hard to believe that RSL passed him up after a trial.

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  10. Birchall stinks, he would be no big loss. Sarvas is more of an offensive player. Juninho would be a nice complement as the D-Mid if they can keep him.

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  11. Sarvas is not a replacement for Juninho. He can play out wide or in the middle but he is not a DM. LA likely has plenty of CCL allocation money to buy down Juninho’s salary.

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  12. If that’s the case, some other MLS team should pay Juninho’s transfer fee and make him a DP. What about the Clippers, they took Angel from the Galaxy and that worked out great for them…

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  13. It looks to me as if LA really know what it is doing, in contrast to other teams. There’s a plan here, and they’re putting it in motion.

    Meanwhile, my team, DC United, let 8 players go, has only one pick in the upcoming Superdraft, saw fit to pass on everybody available today, and seems to be losing out on the best foreign prospects for MLS — moving like molasses. I wonder how they’re going to fill all those roster slots. If you’re a college player who goes undrafted next month, you should probably forward your highlight reel to the DC United front office. Come Mid-February, they’re going to desperate for anyone who has played above the high school level.

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  14. So most likely its a case of Juninho’s transfer fee turning him into a DP (not an option for LA) hence the league loses a good young player for an older (maybe good) player? Weak.

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  15. Galaxy will have some battles for the 20-man

    GK (2): Saunders, Conway/Perk

    FB (4): Franklin, De La Garza, Dunivant, Leitch/Hejduk

    CH (3): Gonzalez, Leonardo, Boyens/Robinson

    W (4): Donovan, Magee, Stephens, Cordozo

    CM (3): Sarvas,(need 2)

    ST (4): Keane, Barrett, Lopez, Cristman/Noonan

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  16. I’m afraid the writing is on the wall. Juninho probably won’t be returning. I’ve read that Sao Paulo wants a serious transfer for him; nothing huge by international standards, but too high for the stupid MLS salary cap rules. I hope to the football gods I’m wrong though.

    Sarvas is a 30 year old journeyman. He’s played in Brasil, Scandinavia, Poland and Central America. He’s experienced for sure, but he’s never spent more than a year or two at any single club in a decade-long career. Hate to be debbie downer, but let’s face it, he’s no Juninhno.

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  17. So yeah, any time you want to start bringing in players to boost RBNY there Erik Soler and Hans Backe. Just go ahead and start doing it…don’t wait for me to say something just go at it.

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  18. Hope this is for cover in case Birchall leave back to England rather than Juninho….Bruce definately needs to make sure Juninho stays

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