A club source tell me the deal hasn’t yet been finalized, but the Galaxy’s Steve Cronin is indeed off to the USL Portland Timbers, which is apparently exactly what he told a member of the Big Soccer message board Sunday.
Anyone who saw goalkeeper Josh Saunders’ performance in the final of the Pan-Pacific Championship Sunday – or Cronin’s contribution to the Galaxy’s season last year – will know why. Saunders looked far less shaky than Cronin did in the net and made one outstanding save Sunday that prevented what appeared a certain goal. (As an aside, Saunders’ wife was at the game and players don’t usually bring along relatives if they don’t think they will hang around long with the team they’re trying out with).
Also, I understand the Galaxy will announce some player cuts in the next couple of days (the team and most staff had today off). I’m betting goalkeeper Josh Wicks goes, too, leaving Saunders to back up Jamaican Donovan Ricketts.
In other local MLS news, Chivas USA had midfield Diego Scotti training with the team for the first time today in Carson. He and Mexican forward Eduardo Lillingston (who was given a couple of days off to attend to personal matters south of the border) are the only two players remaining on trial with the team in its 29-player strong camp.
On player still absent from camp is veteran Mexican defender Claudio Suarez who is negotiating a new contract with the team.
I will have much more on Chivas USA’s preparations for the new season in Tuesday’s column.
Lastly, UCLA goalkeeper Brian Perk and Chivas USA reality show winner Jorge Flores were named today to Thomas Rongen’s U.S. Under-20 squad for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, set for March 6-15 in Trinidad & Tobago.
Four of the eight teams in the tournament will qualify for the U-20 World Cup scheduled for Sept. 24-Oct. 16 in Egypt.
The full U.S. roster:
goalkeepers – Sean Johnson (Central Florida; Lilburn, Ga.), Josh Lambo (FC Dallas; Middleton, Wis.), Brian Perk (UCLA; Rancho Santa Margarita)
defenders – Gale Agbossoumonde (Unattached; Syracuse, N.Y.), Kyle Davies (Southampton; Danville, Calif.), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA; Anaheim, Calif.), Aaron Maund (Notre Dame; Dorchester, Mass.), Amobi Okugo (San Juan Lightning; Sacramento, Calif.), Anthony Wallace (FC Dallas; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Sheanon Williams (Unattached; Boston)
midfielders – Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin; Miami), Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo; Glendale, Ariz.), Dilly Duka (Rutgers; Montville, N.J.), Jared Jeffrey (Club Brugge; Richardson, Texas), Brian Ownby (Virginia; Glen Allen, Va.); Brek Shea (FC Dallas; College Station, Texas)
forwards – Sam Garza (Denver; Highland Village, Texas), Peri Marosevic (FC Dallas; Rockford, Ill.), Billy Schuler (North Carolina; Allentown, N.J.), Tony Taylor (Jacksonville; Jacksonville, Fla.) .
