UPDATE: Roster Compliance

By: NathanHJ | March 1st, 2009

March 2nd is the day for roster compliance in MLS, in advance of the season opener on March 19 (featuring ex-Galaxy blogger Laurie’s new team, Seattle Sounders FC). Teams must cut their rosters to 24: 20 senior players and 4 developmental ones.

If I were someone with the access and skill of say an Ives Galarcep or Nick Green or Luis Bueno or Andrea Canales, then I’d make a prediction of who stays and who goes based on an in-depth study of progress made during the preseason, how a player stacks up against the salary cap, and gut instinct.

But I’m not. What I’m going to do instead is list those players who I’d be happy if they found work with other clubs. Based on one Pan-Pacific Championship game. Cuz that’s how I roll.

Current Roster (not including trialists like Tony Sanneh):

GK: Donovan Ricketts, Josh Saunders, Josh Wicks

Defenders: A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Julian Valentin

Midfielders: David Beckham, Leonard Griffin, Chris Klein, Eddie Lewis, Josh Tudela, Kyle Patterson, Stefani Miglioranzi

Forwards: Josh Boateng, Tristan Bowen, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski, Dema Kovalenko, Mike Magee, Israel Sesay

That’s 25. But there are at least two trialists spending extended time with the club: Sanneh and the Central American defender who’s name escapes me. I’m sure there are others (feel free to add them in the comments).

(Here’s another aside: beyond the fact that the official LA Galaxy roster still lists players who were cut last week, it has bits of lingering weirdness such as listing Dema Kovalenko as a foward, a position I’ve never seen him play in all his years in MLS.)

Okay here’s my cut list:

Keeper: Take all three. If there’s anyone position where it pays to have an excess of caution, this is it. See: USA, Chivas, 2008.

Defenders: If the Central American trialist works out, then I think you have to consider cutting Sanneh. He’s not any faster now than he was two years ago, though his veteran savvy is considerable and he is more maneuverable than Greg Vanney was. If the CA trialist doesn’t work , then you keep him. Take everyone else.

Midfielders: I think there’s a reason Leonard Griffin was out of MLS before Bruce brought him back.

Forwards: I have to say that if Bryan Jordan is progressing well from his injury, then you cut Alan Gordon. I know that Gordon does score 4-5 goals a year and he has a high workrate, but can you imagine him getting substantial playing time on any other MLS team? He’s had five years in MLS to live up to his USL scoring championship and I’m certain that day isn’t coming.

That would get me down to 24, based on the players I listed.

What about ya’ll? Who stays and who goes? Consider this the thread for roster compliance over the next few days.

UPDATE – March 2, 9:02 AM - Charlesj put a roster in the comments that included Yohance Marshall, whom I left off, and the name of the CA player: Osman Chavez.

UPDATE – March 2, 4:24 PM – Several sources, including the Galaxy’s official blog and Nick Green’s 100 Percent Soccer, are reporting that Josh Boateng has been cut. That site also says that the roster has 26 players but some are not under contract so the team is roster and cap compliant. Which I guess means that there will be a couple more cuts to come by opening day.

Also, this story by Grahame Jones in the Los Angeles Times says that David Beckham has been loaned to AC Milan for the rest of the season and will therefore miss at least the first 17 games of the MLS season (and most likely more depending on World Cup qualifying). Hat tip to George and Justin for bringing those to our attention.