Galaxy trade SuperDraft pick, pick up TAM

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Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena traded his highest MLS SuperDraft pick since 2009 on Thursday, shipping the 12th overall selection to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for targeted allocation money (TAM).

TAM was introduced last year to add financial flexibility for clubs to sign players for more money without affecting the salary cap.

The Galaxy still have two third-round picks in this year’s draft (42nd and 53rd) and one fourth-round pick (73rd). The third and fourth rounds of the draft will take place on Jan. 19.

Arena dipped out of the MLS head coaches photo this morning in Baltimore after he traded the pick, as the Galaxy will not be participating in the draft today, leaving associate head coach Dave Sarachan to represent the Galaxy in his place.

Arena’s best draft for the Galaxy came in 2009, when he picked Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza. The pair helped the Galaxy to three MLS Cups before Gonzalez was transferred to C.F. Pachuca this offseason in a one of many salary cap-saving moves. Last year, the Galaxy selected Ignacio Maganto in the draft with the 21st overall pick. The Spanish midfielder made six starts and 13 appearances for the first team last season, also spending time with Galaxy II.

In a recent interview with ExtraTime Radio, Arena said the development of the academy system in MLS devalues the SuperDraft and he could see the draft going away completely if academies continue to flourish.

Bruce Arena draft selections

  • 2009
    • Omar Gonzalez, 3rd overall
    • A.J. DeLaGarza, 19th overall
    • Josh Boateng, 33rd overall
    • Kyle Patterson, 48th overall
  • 2010
    • Michael Stephens, 16th overall
  • 2011
    • Paolo Cardozo, 16th overall
    • Hector Jimenez, 34th overall
  • 2012
    • Tommy Meyer, 19th overall
    • Kenney Walker, 38th overall
  • 2013
    • Charlie Rugg, 19th overall
    • Kofi Opare, 24th overall
    • Greg Cochrane, 38th overall
  • 2014
    • Kyle Venter, 23rd overall
  • 2015
    • Ignacio Maganto, 21st overall
    • Daniel Keller, 62nd overall
    • Andrew Wolverton, 82nd overall
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