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MLS Notes: Conway retires, Keller heads to broadcast booth and more

Conway (Getty Images)

Veteran MLS goalkeeper Jon Conway has decided to hang up his cleats and gloves.

Conway, 34, was selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy in this past December's re-entry draft to compete for a backup spot behind Josh Saunders, but he instead elected retire after a 12-year career. 

"After talking to (Galaxy coach Bruce Arena) about the opportunity in L.A. and evaluating my options, it just felt like a good time to transition out of the game," Conway said in a press release.

Conway was a part-time starter for the Fire last season before ultimately relinquishing those duties to Sean Johnson for good. During his career he played for the San Jose Earthquakes, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and Chicago and was part of the 2003 Earthquakes side that won MLS Cup.

Here are a few more notes from around the league:

KELLER JOINS SOUNDERS BROADCAST TEAM

Kasey Keller won't be straying too far from CenturyLink Field in his post-playing career.

Keller will be part of the Seattle Sounders broadcast team as the color commentator alongside BBC announcer Ross Fletcher, the club announced on Tuesday. Keller is a natural for the broadcast booth, with his vast global experience, conviction and staunch analysis being trademark traits. Over the last few months he joined the Fox Soccer studio team as an analyst, a precursor to his future role. 

The team's past lead play-by-play voice, Arlo White, joined NBC Sports as its national MLS announcer.

DYNAMO LINKED TO BOYD

It is no secret that the Houston Dynamo are looking to upgrade their forward options, and the club's search might just lead it to Scotland.

Houston has been linked with former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, a 28-year-old free agent who is also reportedly being targeted by three English clubs as well.

Boyd was a standout at Rangers from 2006-2010, hitting the 100-goal mark with the club before heading to Middlesbrough. He has been less prolific since then and was most recently with Eskisehirspor in Turkey before leaving the club after a reported contract dispute last month. 

FIRE SIGN MIDFIELDER ROBAYO

The Chicago Fire have plenty of options in their midfield, but that did not stop the club from acquiring Colombian central midfielder Rafael Robayo from Millonarios.

Robayo, 27, is a two-way midfielder, and he provides an experienced option for Frank Klopas behind attacking midfielder Sebastian Grazzini. Veteran Mexican midfielder Pavel Pardo is still reportedly in the team's plans but has yet to officially re-sign for the upcoming season. Assuming he is brought back, the center of the Fire's formation figures to be set for 2012. 

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What will you remember from Conway's playing career? Excited for what Keller will bring to the broadcast booth? Think Boyd would be a good fit for Houston? What do you make of the Fire's latest acquisition?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’m a big fan of Keller and have been told on many occasion I look a lot him too. Being bald and wearing glasses helped, I guess. But I’ve been him in the booth and he’s nervous, awkward and unsure. Here’s to hoping he improves with time.

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  2. Why aren’t the Red Bulls all over Conway?

    Rost is gone for sure and I believe Buona Coundoul is not a done deal to come back no?

    I wouldn’t mind seeing Boyd at Houston and help Groom Bruin, him and Carr with Bruin would give them a nice combo of forwards.

    They still need a playmaker, I hope they trade for someone they can use because Dom Kinnear hardly ever uses any guys in midfield the 1st few years and they have o resign Danny Cruz

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  3. I’m sure they offered him league minimum, he decided it wasn’t worth relocating again for that…and probably found he had no real options elsewhere in the league.

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  4. I doubt LA convinced Conway to retire, per se. More likely, they gave him a lowball offer that he felt wasn’t worth his time. LA lost nothing in picking him up in the re-entry draft and had a shot at signing an experienced back-up keeper for cheap.

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  5. Since the broadcast booth was brought up, does anyone know who NBC is going to use in the booth to broadcast games? (Sorry Ives about that NBC thing.)

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  6. ‘looting’? This is a free-market system…well as much as a ‘salary cap’ + DP’s allow a free-market.

    Reply

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