LA Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts Traded To Montreal Impact

When Donovan Ricketts broke his arm during the match in San Jose, most of the focus was on Mike Magee eventually landing in goal and keeping a clean sheet. When Josh Saunders stepped up and did a fantastic job relieving Ricketts, there was doubt as to whether Ricketts was still the Galaxy starting keeper. When Ricketts came back against the New York Red Bulls and looked simply lost, folk started to wonder if Ricketts' time had passed. Now that he's been traded to the Montreal Impact for allocation money, there's little to do but move forward. 

Speculation began after the Los Angeles Galaxy protected both Josh Saunders and Donovan Ricketts in the MLS Expansion Draft. With Brian Perk a capable backup keeper, there seemed little need to keep all three, so most assumed Ricketts was soon to be traded. In trading him to the Montreal Impact, Bruce Arena allowed the inevitable to happen, but also negotiated some funds out of the transaction. 

MLS does not make the allocation money process transparent, but the Galaxy have been shoring up their allocation money fund for some time now. How much of that was spent in acquiring Robbie Keane, and how much is available to go after another foreign star should David Beckham leave is anyone's guess. 

Ricketts was included on the travel roster for the Asia trip, but did not make the flight to Jakarta. How the Galaxy were able to keep that a secret for a whole day in this day and age is another mystery. 

Ricketts is a fine goalkeeper, and the Impact are going to be strengthened by his presence. He was an integral part of the Galaxy having the staggering winning record they've had over the last three years. He will be missed.