LA Galaxy trade Hector Jimenez, draft pick for allocation money

The LA Galaxy have announced this morning that they have traded Hector Jimenez and their first round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft to the Columbus Crew for the Crew's second round pick in the draft and allocation money. As the SuperDraft now also contains the Supplemental Draft, the Galaxy have two picks to use in Philadelphia; one in the second round and one in the fourth.

From the Galaxy perspective, trading down means they believe the player they're targeting will still be available at the 27th pick. The allocation money for Hector Jimenez is minimal when it comes to clearing salary but the allocation money can be used to pay down some of the new acquisitions.

The Crew get two picks in the first round of the SuperDraft as well as a midfielder with an upside and some MLS experience. With Landon Donovan, Robbie Rogers, Gyasi Zardes, and Michael Stephens available Jimenez became expendable. He was called on to make several starts last season, but never secured that leap off the reserve squad.

Jimenez is a Southern California native and has made 43 appearances in his three years with the LA Galaxy since being drafted from the University of California. The current Columbus head coach is a former teammate of Jimenez' at the Galaxy Gregg Berhalter.