Are some big dominoes falling in Major League Soccer? This much we know: Joe Cannon is headed back to San Jose. A source close to the Earthquakes tells me the team dealt allocation money (something that makes less and less sense to me the more I learn about it) to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the All-Star keeper, who was a huge fan favorite in the Bay Area.
Cannon is a San Jose-area native and spent four years with the Quakes from 1999 to 2002, leading them to their first MLS Cup in '01. He won the first of his two MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards the following season before leaving San Jose for a short stint in Europe with Lens of France's Ligue 1.
Most recently, Cannon manned the nets for the Galaxy last season and was one of the few bright spots during the David Beckham circus. You may remember that he turned in one of the goalkeeping performances of the year during the SuperLiga final against Mexico's Pachuca, which the Galaxy went on to lose on penalty kicks.
The word around MLS is that Cannon grew increasingly unhappy in L.A., so a return to the Bay is a great move for him.
But even more interesting is what this means for the Galaxy. This frees up the starting keeper spot for Steve Cronin, a 24-year-old who is ready for prime time. Cannon is 33 and far more expensive -- he earns $192,000 a year.
That's relative peanuts for Galaxy owners AEG, who are paying Beckham $32.5 million in base salary -- and millions more in incentives -- over five years. But it made a huge dent in L.A.'s salary cap, already clogged up by Beckham's $400,000 take (the only portion of his annual salary that counts against the cap) and Landon Donovan's $900,000 a year.
It definitely looks like the Galaxy are clearing up cap room. In addition to shipping off Cannon and adding San Jose's allocation money, it appears L.A. is free of Clint Mathis, too. Greek club Ergotelis claims on its Web site that it has agreed to terms with the journeyman attacker, whom the Galaxy had traded for in November. Mathis was out of a contract, but made $270,000 last year with the New York Red Bulls. All this may help L.A. make another major move. Like signing Luís Figo (pictured above right).
Rumors have been flying that AEG has agreed to terms with the Portuguese megastar, who is in the final year of his contract with Italy's Inter Milan. Figo has denied those rumors, but he has made no secret of the fact that he'd eventually like to play in MLS (he even told SI.com as much in fall of '06).
Since it seems highly unlikely he'd head to Houston, AEG's other team, this may be the first domino to fall for a Beckham-Figo reunion. The two played together at Real Madrid for three seasons. Figo would be one of the biggest names in the 12-year history of MLS, probably second only to Beckham. And even though he's 35, he still has the skills to be an impact player -- and, of course, another huge draw for the Galaxy.
Of course, for that to happen, the Galaxy would probably have to trade for a second designated-player slot, which would allow them to pay Figo more than the $400,000 league maximum annual salary. Each MLS team has one such DP slot, which are tradeable (the Red Bulls are currently the only team with two DPs). Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas also stopped short of saying the team is looking at Figo, but did tell me it is looking at putting that extra money to work immediately.
Whether it's Figo or not, it's clear the Galaxy are up to something. Stay tuned.
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Comments (12)
Why do you repeat idiotic things like "Galaxy owners AEG, who are paying Beckham as much as $250 million." The whole world knows that's not true. Quit writing crap like that. The bulk of his "potential" $250M is coming from sponsors and image rights. As a Galaxy fan I will miss Joe. He's a good guy and a great GK. As far as Figo is concerned, we don't need him. We need a goal scorer up front and a central defender.
jscott23 | 01/10/08, 03:20 PM
Report Offensive CommentAlthough I doubt that Figo is on his way over here, I would beg to differ on jscott's opinion that you don't need him. If I had the opportunity to bring in a talent like Figo, regardless of his age, I would. The man is pure class. The way Beckham made his teammates better, the same could be said for Figo. He'd only make the team better. Still, I don't think it's gonna happen.
Little Evil (GUNNER) | 01/10/08, 03:39 PM
Report Offensive Commentjscott, they didn't write that. go back and read it. good story, could be good for both the Earthquakes, and LAG.
www.SacUnitedSoccer.blogspot.com
SacUnitedSoccer.blogspot.com | 01/10/08, 05:18 PM
Report Offensive CommentFigo would be a good pickup. How about Zidane in Toronto too? That may draw from Quebec. I hate to be an American about this, but the league needs more names. I think a headbutting Frenchman would allow people to watch. If you are unsure google Ron Artest and Dennis Rodman... two great looney bins, I mean players, who made people pay attention (because Artest may punch you).
OJs Slashers | 01/10/08, 05:59 PM
Report Offensive CommentI would love to see Figo over here in the USA, but not with the Galaxy. I have a question Jonah, what would you do with Landon Donovan. As soon as this contract runs out, you'll have to give him a DP spot. And the rules clearly state that you can't have but two (2) DP's on a team. So who do you want Beckham and Figo or do you want to keep a good American-born player in Donovan? It's make absolutely no sense. The Galaxy would be stupid to let Donovan go, even though I can't stand him. We can't afford him going to oversea again. Hopefully the league won't change the rules to accomadate it though. Go somewhere else Figo.
Keeper | 01/11/08, 06:55 AM
Report Offensive CommentHere's the thing, Cannon played great in SuperLiga when his defense finally started to gel. But for 4/5ths of the season, LA's defense was miserable. And near the end of LA's to-be miracle run for the post season, their defense collapsed again.
Cannon's numbers suffered because of this.
Now, you're putting in a 24 year old keeper who may be talented but is still unproven in between the pipes behind a very shaky defense that Lalas has done nothing to improve. Heck, Lalas got rid of their best defender!
Does Lalas think LA can outscore everyone 5-4, every single game?
JHopper2 | 01/11/08, 09:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentAre you serious?? Second best in the league, Figo?? Cuahthemoc Blanco ring a bell?? How about Juan Pablo Angel in New York?? That is the problem with MLS, it always is looking for the "was a good player at" type of player. MLS better hope that Blanco calls some more of his buddies (like Davino) to come over and play here. Trust me, we need less "College-level" players that we could watch for free at our local universities, and more players in the their prime. Strikers and Mid-fielders. Not defenders (Davino)
Americanista9 | 01/11/08, 10:19 AM
Report Offensive Commentis Abel Xavier still on the team?
Big Chaco | 01/11/08, 08:24 PM
Report Offensive CommentI hope that they don't sign Figo. They would have to use a DP slot that could go to a younger, more reliable European striker. Sure the league needs names, but the Galaxy needs to capitalize on Beckham by actually getting better. The new coach was a good start. Now, get a top striker and sign some quality defenders. Also, I would let Donovan go. His $900,000 could be better spent and he will be leaving soon anyway if they sign a high paid player in the transfer window. You can only have two DP's. If the Galaxy don't improve rapidly, it won't matter what big names they have - people will lose interest.
wd | 01/11/08, 08:47 PM
Report Offensive CommentI believe Alexi just signed Gordon to a knew contract. This is not serious soccer no matter who is serving him. One ESPN commentator reported that Gordon, couldn't put a shot on goal during the pre game warm-up.
mick | 01/12/08, 10:05 PM
Report Offensive CommentI read your power rankings...."and the Brazilians (Internacional) actually beat the Italians 2-1." I am perhaps the only American who is a card-carrying member of Sport Club Internacional of Porto Alegre, Brasil. Do you not realize how good this club really is? They won the triple crown - Libertadores 2006, FIFA World Club Champion 2006, and Recopa 2007. The result was no surprise to me...I've seen them regularly trounce world-class teams in their stadium Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. This result was no surprise to me...
Vamos Inter! Vamos Colorados!
Americano Colorado | 01/12/08, 10:48 PM
Report Offensive CommentFIGO! FIGO! We need more DP spots fo sho
jeevs BS | 01/23/08, 07:30 PM
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