Getty Images Word came out of England on Monday that veteran Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was moving out of London to join reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.
First and foremost, it means that the Galaxy’s goalkeeping situation just got a lot better. Cudicini has not played regularly since 2007-08 season at Chelsea. (He was a backup to Petr Cech that year, but played 19 times in a bad year of injury for the No. 1 at Stamford Bridge.) And he’s 39.
Still, it seems safe to say that LA’s situation between the pipes is better, if only because the Galaxy must no longer rely on Josh Saunders, who became increasingly unstable in 2012 on and off the field.
Here’s what else today’s big move (the last significant MLS move of 2012, it now seems safe to say) means for all involved:
- Saunders is probably done for good at LA. The Galaxy now has Cudicini, William Hesmer (acquired during the re-entry draft) and well regarded youngster Brian Perk.
- Given that he was 4th string at White Hart Lane and available on a free transfer, Cudicini presumably is not killing the Galaxy on salary. He certainly is not carrying a Designated Player tagging.
- Assuming the former Chelsea ‘keeper does start, he can provide a lot of veteran guidance to defense that may or may not have Omar Gonzalez around to be boss in the back.
- If Cudicini gets his medical and player pass all sorted out, he could be in goal as the Galaxy begins MLS regular season play on March 3, and then guard goal as Bruce Arena’s men face Costa Rica’s Herediano on March 7 in the first leg of the teams’ CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal.
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USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.
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Getty Images
Internazionale officially announced they have sacked Andrea Stramaccioni and hired the former Napoli boss.
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AP
Tony Fernandes has finally taken some blame for the relegation of QPR instead of shedding it left and right.
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Getty Images
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Chelsea interm manager Rafa Benitez is set to move to Serie A on a 2-year deal with Napoli.
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USMNT forward Terrence Boyd on ex-club Borussia Dortmund’s UCL charge
May 24, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
Getty Images
Boyd left Dortmund last season, so is a USMNT player destined to never play in a Champions League final?
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Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen’s new book reveals past life as gambling addict
May 24, 2013, 2:50 PM EDT
Who knew that Jimmy Nielsen’s burst of white hair wasn’t the craziest thing about Sporting Kansas City’s talented goalkeeper?
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Further MLS attachment to the English Premier League is a good thing … right?
May 24, 2013, 2:45 PM EDT
A blog post in the New Yorker looks at another side to this week’s huge expansion news:
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Both teams are on streaks of success – even if “success” look so radically different in the two camps:
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German invasion of London begins as fans of Munich, Dortmund descend on Wembley
May 24, 2013, 1:56 PM EDT
AP
See the sights around London, as Wembley Stadium welcomes German fans in abundance.
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Champions League final preview: A bitter rivalry with much higher stakes
May 24, 2013, 1:30 PM EDT
Reuters
When Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow at 2:45 ET at Wembley, they won’t be playing for the right to be recognized as permanent contenders. They’ve already done that.
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Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez?
May 24, 2013, 1:13 PM EDT
Reuters
Monaco’s Russian oligarch owner is splashing the cash to bring Champions League success, can they do it?
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With MLS expansion done for now, where the league priorities should land
May 24, 2013, 1:00 PM EDT
We have five suggestions as MLS pivots its enhancement efforts away from expansion:
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Minnows Gibraltar officially join UEFA… but why are Spain mad?
May 24, 2013, 12:32 PM EDT
Reuters
Looking behind the incredible story of the tiny rock in the Mediterranean, that can now take on the giants of European soccer
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Champions League Final: Key battles for Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 11:38 AM EDT
Which individual battles will determine which side lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy at Wembley on Saturday?
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Courtesy of MySanAntonio.com
We take a look at which US cities deserve an MLS expansion franchise and how close they are to getting it. Thoughts?

