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With wholesale changes to the Galaxy lineup over the winter, you could be forgiven for failing to remember the allocation order, one of the league’s oldest mechanisms for acquiring players. The good news is, the team appears poised to benefit from last year’s horrendous record: LA are just behind FC Dallas with the No. 2 spot in line, and it might not stay that way for long.
At present, FC Dallas is first in line, but multiple sources told ESPN FC that FCD is in the process of trading the spot away to Orlando City so the Lions can acquire former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Uri Rosell. FCD would receive Orlando’s current spot -- sixth overall -- and an undisclosed amount of targeted allocation money in return.
NEWS: FC Dallas exchanges places in the @MLS Allocation Order with @OrlandoCitySC for $400,000 of Targeted Allocation Money.
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) January 30, 2018
: https://t.co/0i1jDXYpMa pic.twitter.com/08IKc9ZWUm
NEWS: Another one. City Acquires Midfielder Oriol Rosell. #WelcomeUri
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 30, 2018
Details https://t.co/W5L491As0W pic.twitter.com/OABPmQ50UL
This vaults the Galaxy to the top of the line, granting LA the ability to sign U.S. national teamers and ex-MLSers who commanded a $500,000 transfer fee or higher. (The full list is available HERE) One of those players is American striker Rubio Rubin, who has just become available after signing with the league over offers from Liga MX. The 21-year-old who’s spent his career in Europe to date provided a spark off the bench during the USA’s drab draw vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday, showing glimpses with his direct play.
just finished watching #USMNT again. Quick question: Why didn't we see more of Rubio Rubin? Got on the ball 3-4 times, took initiative each time. Meanwhile, nothing against Gyasi Zardes, but we KNOW what he can do. Seems like a lost opp to learn something new.
— Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90) January 29, 2018
If there’s one spot the Galaxy are thin at, its up top.
Now that the rumored FCD-Orlando trade has gone through, LA have three options. Acquire Rubin, pass and wait for the next eligible player, or trade the spot to another team.
What do you think the best plan of action is? Let us know in the comments.