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Mid-Day Ticker: Galaxy inks deals with five, Atletico signs new coach, and more

FranklinCristman

By JOEY SAMUEL

While the retaining of David Beckham's services remains up in the air for the Los Angeles Galaxy, five other players saw their contract situations get a lot clearer on Friday.

Sean Franklin and Bryan Jordan re-signed with Los Angeles, while Adam Cristman's option was picked up, allowing Bruce Arena to keep key parts of the deep squad that won the 2011 MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles added forward Pat Noonan after selecting him earlier this month in the MLS Re-Entry Draft. Noonan comes to the Galaxy after previously playing with the Seattle Sounders.

The Galaxy also added goalkeeper Nick Noble, who spent the last two seasons in Sweden after being drafted in 2007 by then-Chicago Fire head coach Dave Sarachan, who now serves as an associate head coach with the Galaxy.

Here are some other stories to keep you going this Friday afternoon:

SIMEONE HIRED AS NEW ATLETICO MADRID COACH

A day after sacking Gregorio Manzano, Atletico Madrid have found a replacement at head coach in Diego Simeone. Previously the coach pf Racing Santander, Simeone is a former Argentina international who had two spells at Atletico during his playing career.

Atletico have struggled mightily this season since losing both Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan over the summer. They sit in 10th place in the Spanish Primera Division, and were recently ousted in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey by third-division Albacete, which led to the sacking of Manzano.

CHELSEA INTERESTED IN KRASIC

Serbian winger Milos Krasic, despite being one of the more talented wingers in world football, has had a tough time finding the field this season for Juventus, and now it appears he's ready to move on.

English powerhouse Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Krasic during the winter transfer window, according to his agent. Krasic hasn't appeared for Juventus in two months after being a key part of the team's 2010-11 campaign. Now that Juventus have found success this season, Krasic has apparently become expendable. Several other teams are expected to pursue him.

REVOLUTION SIGN SIMMS

This year's second edition of the MLS Re-Entry Draft saw quite a bit more action than last year's, and some of the players picked are finalizing their contracts with their new teams.

Clyde Simms became one of them Friday, as he officially put pen to paper with the New England Revolution. Simms is expected to bring depth at midfield to a team that finished in last place in the Eastern Conference in 2011.

Fellow draftees Danleigh Borman and Nate Jaqua have yet to sign with the Revs, but they have been extended offers.

LINDPERE DRAWS PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST

Joel Lindpere has been one of the New York Red Bulls' most consistent performers over the last two seasons, and it looks like some big teams have taken notice.

The Estonian winger told one Norwegian news outlet that there is interest from both Premier League and Championship teams in signing him. The Red Bulls, however, are reluctant to sell him, as he has been a key part of their squad.

In July, it was Lindpere's goal that gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium, a result that helped New York capture the Emirates Cup. That performance may have gone a long way towards attracting European suitors.

Comments

  1. Cristman and Noonan blow…There are planty of hungry strikers that would love the opportunity to play for the Galaxy. Arena hasnt had a pair of starting caliber forwards in his time in LA. They could be so much more fun to watch, but Arena is still top defensive.

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  2. all the Galaxy haters are like a warm fire. Thanks for keeping the fire stoked

    Cristman…not a fan, who is really? Noonan could be OK I suppose if Beckham returns getting on the end of crosses, and he might be able to connect with Robbie better being a smarter player, but it’s not like his signing inspires any great feelings

    And oh yeah, Arena is overrated. Not 🙂

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  3. Pat Noonan couldn’t even get playing time in a squad with O’Brien White and Nate Jacqua…Seattle was craving for a striker that could play alongside Montero. Fucito is money, but more of a super-sub, 3rd Strker type. LA is wasting cash with this signing.

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  4. Arena trying to get by with awful forwards once again…Why not try out a cheap import that can play instead of garbage like Cristman and Noonan. I feel for Robbie Keane. Galaxy could play so much more attractive football.

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  5. Cristman? Either he must be playing for free or the Galaxy just want to keep EVERYBODY. They better make sure they re-sign Frankie Hejduk and Kirovski too.

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  6. Cristman gets whatever the league minimum after 2 years of minimal raises is….

    He was getting like 42K last year, my guess is he gets like 45-48K, he better not be making above 50K! lol

    So he is as good as he’s worth, he works hard and with a little luck or simply work on finishing he might of finished with 5 or 6 goals, who knows maybe a pair in the MLS Cup Final, but hey I hated Barrett when he got here and missed a lot of goals the 1st few months of the season, hell he could of been up there with Donovan in the 12+ range had he made 1 per game the first 3 or 4 games of the season, but then he made them more often and even scored a Golazoo sometime around May I think.

    He’s whatever a practice squad fill in, Noonan on the other hand might be super important. I am looking forward to see what he can do, he had brief moments with Seattle but that team was deep and I can see why he left. Kind of wish they would move on from Kirovski, Arena’s 1999-2002 generation is slow to die as far as active guys but he’s 1 of the few left along with Hejduk.

    I really wish they would of skipped on both Cristman and Kirovski and maybe even Hejduk and even someone else like Jimenez or Cardozo to save Juninho, but it sounds like Sao Paulo wanted him back aside from the salary upgrade he probably got with his extension.

    Hey he might be back late like next summeer as Sao Paulo has tons of Central midfielders and in the link Ives provided it said Juninho would be in for challenge to get Playing time as they had plenty of options…

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  7. I am going to make myself part of the buffet line in an hour or 2, but I been starving for 2 days to offset the gluttony that will ensue.. lol Hey they have 5 type of shrimp, 2 type of mussels, Snow crab legs, Oysters on the shell and good Sushi, so I’m making a Cristman impersonation for the afternoon according to you kinsnake lol seafood style tho

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  8. Cristman was terrible in the final, missed the easiet chances given to him by Beckham and Keane, almost laughable. The game could’ve been 3-0 at halftime had he finished those sitters, good thing Arena moved Donovan up to forward at halftime. As far as I’m concerned he has brick feet, and they could’ve gotten some young central american talent to replace him.

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  9. GOnzo is not going anywhere right now. If he can crack the USMNT or have another steller year then maybe this summer or next winter.

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  10. In that pile of Galaxy signings and re-signings, the only one that got me to react was Sean Franklin. That’s one big piece on the backline – can the Gals hold on to Gonzo too?

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  11. It seems unfair that Southern Califrona gets to have both Adam Cristman AND Albert Puljos. All that sporting power within a few miles of each other. Shocking

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