Reason #5327 to Hate Galaxy Management

According to a recent Andrea Canales article on USSoccerplayers.com, here’s a bit more on the Chris Albright deal:

After five years as a key player with the Galaxy, Albright signed a new contract with LA in January, even taking a lower salary. Such a move seemed to make sense, as the team was working to squeeze under the salary cap, but the Galaxy then turned around and traded him to New England.

While he would not comment on the details of the move, Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas said that, “Whether for us, or for another club, Albright is being compensated at the level which a top player at his position gets in this league.”

What is becoming clear, though, is that players are increasingly aware that loyalty to a club, or even the league in general, is perhaps a sentimental luxury they cannot afford as professional sportsmen with a limited playing career.

“It was tough, because he’s been a player here for so long,” said Galaxy midfielder Pete Vagenas of Albright’s trade. “He’s contributed immensely. He’s part of what has got this franchise to this point.”

And my understanding is that because the players technically contract with the league and not with the individual teams, the contract terms are still binding even though he’s not playing with the team he signed on for. If he’d known he wasn’t going to stay at the Galaxy, he might have negotiated a better deal.

Way to treat your players right, Galaxy management.

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Category: Former Galaxy Guys, MLS Money Matters