Abel Xavier Heads Out the Door

By: Laurie | July 18th, 2008

Sigh.

We all knew this was coming, right?

I’ve been expecting this day with about the same emotions I felt when I was getting ready to get my wisdom teeth out. It had to be done, it was going to hurt, and I’d probably feel better once I recovered.

According to SoccerInsider, who know all, Abel Xavier has been cut.

We had to do something to free up that roster spot for our new guy. Abel has made some real glaring errors lately, and he’s not getting any younger or speedier. I thought there might be a chance that Greg Vanney would be the one heading out the door, but no. It’s Abel.

Painful and necessary. I just wish I didn’t like the guy so much.

I think I’ll have to do a hair retrospective later, just to work the pain out of my system.

Good luck, Abel. Here’s to a soft landing in Hollywood. (Your hair was made for reality TV. We all know it. Make it happen.)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News, Transfer Rumors

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jose

http://hi www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?...
jose

http://www.goal.com/en/Articol...
David

I think it is telling that the Galaxy released, rather than traded, Xavier. That means that they couldn't find another MLS team that thought he was worth his salary.
CC

In the games I saw Abel in, he saved the Galaxy's - you know what - many times as the last line of defence with a well timed tackle.
If they had more players like him and Beckham the standards would be much higher, as it is...it will stay a "pub team", as we would call it in the UK, for a while longer as a quality player leaves.
He had a couple of good years left and someone will benefit with him joining - or, being the character he is, he'll continue his celebrity in another way - and he sure knows how to pick girls - saw him with the gorgeous blonde from "The Price Is Right" a few weeks ago at a hip LA restaurant.
He and Guillit (awesome player - lousy manager - see Newcastle United), clashed as personalities. In the end analysis, Abel's playing career will stand up better than Guillit's managerial record.
Charles Ferreira

On www.24horasnewspaper.com 7-21-08 Abel blames Gullit for being a bully with the players. This is Gullit's style he did it in England too, and got fired.
Chris

My local newspaper (Whittier Daily News) reported that it was a falling out between AX and Gullit after Gullit accused him of faking an injury in the 1-1 game v Chivas. Gullit went so far as to refer to him as a "bad apple."

Link to story is http://www.whittierdailynews.c...
Laurie

David, I saw that rumor yesterday also. Expect to see Ruiz trotted out on the field today to show what he can do.
David

Soccer by Ives has this (perhaps less likely) tidbit:

The New York Red Bulls quest to find a replacement for Jozy Altidore has led them to a player who just happens to be in town this weekend.

The Red Bulls are considering acquiring Guatamalan forward Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Galaxy, sources within MLS have told SBI. The former MLS MVP is on the trade market as the Galaxy look to shed salary, and the Red Bulls could make room for Ruiz on their salary cap if they and the Galaxy can agree on terms (which would likely include the Galaxy paying a portion of Ruiz's salary).
David

MLS-rumors.net has the following quote purportedly from lalas confirming:
OUTGOING: Abel Xavier Released by LA Galaxy.
According to these words from Alexi Lalas courtesy of Steve Goff.:

"In a statement to the Insider concerning departing defender Abel Xavier, Galaxy President Alexi Lalas said: "Abel has been a wonderful professional at our club and I want to personally thank him for coming to Los Angeles and being a part of the Galaxy family. We wish him continued success in what has already been a long and storied career. This was a difficult decision, but it was necessary."
So yes, Xavier is officially gone"
Enfilade

Finally, now we just have to get rid of Vanney and Ruiz and hunt for some quality but not so expensive players.
Justin

Hey Glen have you ever watched Wicks play in a reserve game? He needs to stay right where he is.
Limey

DAVE | July 18th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

I just read that Bobo Balde was released from Celtic and is looking for a club. He’s quick, strong, and great in the air. Not a bad player if we can get him on the cheap. I still think we need a much more experienced GK though.

Hummm, would we have to call him Bobo Pelon?
Glen

Oh yea, where's our new keeper, need some skill between the sticks. Cronin needs to be 3rd in line behind Wicks.
Glen

It's been interesting having X-Man here and I think we all knew this was coming at some point this season. He has had some good games for us and some very forgettable performances along the way as well. I wish him well on his next adventure.
DAVE

I just read that Bobo Balde was released from Celtic and is looking for a club. He's quick, strong, and great in the air. Not a bad player if we can get him on the cheap. I still think we need a much more experienced GK though.
Limey

Vanney looked a lot better at center back against Chivas than Abel had the last few weeks.
jen

I guess Vanney stays primarily because he will play on turf. :( By Abel.
Sam

Tackled like a blind Edward Scissorhands on crack, rivaled a decrepit jack-in-the-box with his jumping ability, and cleared the ball as effectively as a four year-old who picks flowers during the match. And butt-fucking-ugly to boot.

Perhaps the easiest target for Galaxy-hating. He will be missed.
jd

yippeeeeeeeeeee.............finally!
Justin

Well we could argue all day about the GK thing Dave.
DAVE

Yes!!!!! Thank God! Now we should be able to pick up a worthy GK and if Ruiz goes a quality holding mid.
Justin

Its not posted on the LA website yet so who knows what is going on here. lol
Laurie

Justin, I wish I understood all of the ins and outs of MLS's rules. It's like a double super secret club, and fans aren't allowed to be members.
Justin

Well at least that was what Bravo had said before. I do not think that players loaned out count against your team roster numbers, just against the cap. So we should have three roster places open.
Limey

Oh well, he can't be suprised. Changes had to be made at the back, hope this is not the last one.
Justin

To bring Dominguez in all we had to do was move on of the senior roster guys down to a senior dev position. Something else is going on here.