Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Galaxy Acquire Alecko Eskandarian


The Galaxy completed a trade early this morning, acquiring forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money.

In order to make room for Eskandarian, who will wear the #11 shirt and trained with the club for the first time, the club has terminated the contract of midfielder Josh Tudela.

Here is the complete press release from this afternoon announcing the deal...

CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, July 1, 2009) – The LA Galaxy bolstered their attacking core today by acquiring forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The 26-year old forward has 28 goals and 12 assists in 122 games during his seven-year MLS career. Originally drafted by D.C. United with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Eskandarian was named the MVP of the 2004 MLS Cup after scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Kansas City at The Home Depot Center.

A New Jersey native, Eskandarian played three years at the University of Virginia before he was selected by D.C. United with the first pick of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. He spent four years with United, scoring 20 goals in 81 games for the club, including a career-best 10 goals in 2004, while helping United win the 2004 MLS Cup championship.

An MLS All-Star in 2004 and 2006, Eskandarian was traded to Toronto FC in December 2006 but played in just six games, scoring one goal before being traded to Real Salt Lake in May 2007. He scored one goal in 17 games with Real Salt Lake at the end of the 2007 season and was traded to Chivas USA in January 2008. In his time with Chivas USA, Eskandarian, who has been capped once by the U.S. National Team, scored six goals in 18 games, including one goal in seven games this season.

To make room for Eskandarian on the roster, the Galaxy have terminated the contract of midfielder Josh Tudela. A 25-year old midfielder, Tudela has appeared in 23 games with the Galaxy since being selected by the club in the Second Round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, including nine games this season. A two-time National Champion at Indiana, Tudela started 20 of his 23 career games for the Galaxy, collecting two assists.

Eskandarian is eligible to make his Galaxy debut on Saturday, July 4 when they host the New England Revolution in their annual Fourth of July Extravaganza, complete with postgame fireworks, powered by KLOS 95.5 FM. Tickets for this game, and all other Galaxy home games are available now. To order tickets or for more information, please call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit the club’s official website, www.lagalaxy.com.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

MAN, HE BETTER DO US SOME GOOD !

Mark Villa sec.132 said...

Bye Josh, sorry to see you go. But, if the past is any indication of your prospects, in one to two years, you will play a vital role in keeping the Galaxy down, and personally beating us when we desperately need a win. Good luck to you!!

As sad as I am to see Josh go, I am happy to see some movement from the brass in doing something about our mid-field.

charlesj27 said...

Guys,
Thanks so much for breaking this story/news to us! I'm... I'm speechless/shocked! We actually went after a crafty, wiley, young forward! What? Amazing? Is there hope for this club and organization, yet?

On a more sober note... Very, Very, Very sorry to hear Josh Tudela go! I really like having Josh with this team - he was such a hard worker!!! I know his skill level was not complete in terms of the rest of MLS, but, he came to practice, he warmed up, he worked as best as he could for this team! I shall miss him. Good luck, Josh - may you find other stadiums and arenas to display your skill and joy.
Welcome to the LA Galaxy, Alecko. I've watched you play over the years - and, I am a fan of your speed, touch, vigor, alertness, and fight! I hope we get to see all of that for the LA Galaxy. Glad to have you!!!
So, let me ask this... we let Josh Tudela go... but, not Alan Gordon. Is this because, the coaches and staff see more skill and depth in Alan rather than Josh??? Or, is it because, Alan is 6'-33" (205 lbs) and can serve/help us in positioning/thwarting/defending? Because, Alan is not known for his ball-at-feet, quick release, scoring-on-goals abilities. And, please give us some indication that we are still planning to get the two midfielders that we so desperately require! Desperately NEED! MUST HAVE! (Am I being repetitive? Is it sinking in?) I'm sorry, guys - but, the longer we have to rely on Gregg and Tony to go one-v-one against the likes of Omar Cummings / Maykel Galindo / Conor Casey / Freddie Montero / Yura Movsisyan / etc... the more red cards/yellow cards there will be... and, Donovan Ricketts for ALL OF THE BLESSED HARD WORK he's being putting in will not get a decent GAA scoring. We need those midfielders, Bruce... NOT like to - WE NEED THEM!!!

Anonymous said...

So we need to solidify the midfield by getting a forward. Yeah that seems logical in the Galaxy perspective.

Anonymous said...

great News .. thank you Arena ... you are Amazing .... NOT!!!!!

Crystal-from Carlsbad said...

So does this mean that Sesay isn't on the team anyone either because Alecko is wearing his number? Sad to see Josh Tudela go. He was always busting butt when he got the chance to. :(

Anonymous said...

He'll play as an attacking MF with Buddle and Donovan up top..with Becks coming back, we should be pretty darn strong!

Anonymous said...

Izzy is on loan at Cleavland City Stars, he had two assists in the last game.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the Galaxy!
Iranian Pride!