LA Galaxy Entrance Exam: Baggio Husidic signs with MLS

New players have already begun to arrive for the 2014 season, with Baggio Husidic the first offseason signing for the LA Galaxy. LA gained his rights in the trade with the Colorado Rapids where they also picked up Pablo Mastroeni. Husidic last played for Swedish AEG side Hammarby.

The Chicago Fire drafted Husidic in 2009 out of the University of Illinois - Chicago. They did not renew him after the 2011 season, and he chose to sign with Hammarby rather than go to the Colorado Rapids through the Re-Entry Draft.

"He's an experienced player," said Bruce Arena, "that can play at different places in the midfield. He'll offer value to our team."

The central midfield was locked down in 2013, with Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas putting in as many minutes as anyone. The sides were less defined, with several players owning the starting position for a time. Time will tell if Husidic is being brought in to replace Marcelo Sarvas, who is out of contract, or to compete for one of the outside midfielder positions which should be up for grabs.

As far as the two years Husidic spent overseas, Bruce Arena thinks it's helped him grow. "A little older, good experiences, he's seen different styles of play. We know the player personally so we think he's a good fit for our team."

Specifically, one of the things LA has struggled with is passing accuracy; it was always Bruce Arena's go to complaint when the team didn't play well. If Arena sees Husidic as a player who can tie the midfield together, then bringing him in makes a fair amount of sense.