(The story SBI brought you first is now official)
The Los Angeles Galaxy’s desperate search for players who can help the team’s terrible defense has led the club to a familiar face who has been away for a long time.
According to a source within Major League Soccer, the Galaxy and New England Revolution are discussing a trade that would send Revs defender Joe Franchino to the Galaxy. There are no details on what the Galaxy would give up but it is believed that the package would likely consist of a draft pick.
(The trade was completed late Friday afternoon, with the Galaxy sending New England a second-round pick in 2009 to New England for Franchino.)
Franchino had played just one minute for the Revs this season after sitting out most of last season following foot surgery. Here is a recent profile on Franchino in the Boston Globe.
Franchino’s professional career began with the Galaxy, which drafted him in 1998. He spent two and a half seasons with the Galaxy before Los Angeles was forced to give him up in a dispersal draft to make room for the acquisition of Luis Hernandez in 2000. Franchino went to the Revolution in that draft.
Franchino has played 162 regular season games for the Revs, and served a lengthy stint as the team’s captain. He had a streak of eight straight seasons with at least 20 games played broken last season after suffering a foot injury early in the year.
It is unclear whether this recent incident involving Franchino and teammate Gary Flood has played any part in the Revs putting Franchino on the trade block. Reports have identified Franchino as Flood’s ‘unidentified’ teammate.
I’ll look to find more information on the trade as it becomes available so stay tuned.
What do you think of the Galaxy adding Franchino? Share your thoughts below.
you really cant knock a player for alleged off field behavior.and its certainly not serious like colby or tysons offenses it most likly was a night out with bros dont get your panties in a bunch.it doesnt make him abad guy. its more important that he brings a sense of power and intimidation to galaxy defense.exactly what ateam with top notch players such as beckham and donovan should have. i like him.
seiousnessto defense.the galaxy needs aa player like that.he works hard and opposing players take noticewhen hes breathing down there neck hes agoodaddition to the whole picture.ranchino brings
Does L.A. even have a salary cap? WoW is all I can really say.
Skinn:
I’m rubber your glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!
Seriously, fanboy, did I get under your Skinn?
My post was probably one of the safest posts a person could make as far as eliciting a response of disagreement or anger, yet here you are.
You have to be kidding? Why would I say such a thing? I take it you are a fan of the LA Galaxy who is delusional. I would of said the same thing if I was a Galaxy fan. How could you not think the Galaxy are a disaster? They are the biggest laughing stock in the history of MLS. Why would I say it? Unless you have been living in a cave, you would know that nearly everyone is saying it. Your post is a little childish, to say the least. At least try and tell me why I can’t say it, instead of just crying about it.
So that’s why he was peeing all over New England. Huh. You see there is always a totaly logical reason for those unreasonable things that people do. I tell you what Lalas better not trade him while he’s there, otherwise that situation could get worse than R. Kelley.
@Aristotle. You’re a has been blog-=poster. shut up. Why would anyone say such a thing? Because you are a disaster.
Here’s what the Galaxy’s director of soccer, Paul Bravo, said in the club’s press release announcing the trade:
“Joe is an experienced, veteran player who will add some needed versatility to our club. He brings a lot to the table and will be able to help the club immediately.”
Doesn’t sound too enthusiastic, does he? Perhaps he was “ordered” to do something to help the defense.
Giving up a low-round draft choice proves just how little value Franchino has — and how desperate the Galaxy is to get any experience on defense.
BTW, Xavier is still on the roster.
Not even the worst scriptwriter in Hollywood could concoct this ridiculous scenario of a soccer team.
Smacks of desperation? No! Really? The Galaxy might be desperate? Why would anyone say such a thing?
Could hurt them? How do you hurt a disaster?
This gives them a full complement of has beens in defense. You have Vanney, Xavier, Jazic, and now Franchino. That was a pretty good defense several years ago.
WTF ummm why did anyone even suggest using Franchino as a centerback–he’s like 5’2” on stilts….why not bring back Cienfuegos, put him in there….then when you play Chicago with a 6’4” defender (Soumare) and a 6’3” partner (Marmol, no matter WHAT Ives says this one is over, fanboy) you can see who wins the balls sent in on corners. What a joke.
Vanney did not lose the Toronto game by himself. Landycakes missing three sitters had something to do with it …
I would like to PUNCH the ones that made this trade happen.
WHY WHY WHY ???
bigger earners outside of the 3 “kings” are mostly on the bench (Vagenas, Buddle Jazic*, Xavier*) the rookies are actually doing quite well (Xavier lost the Colorado game all by himself and the same goes for Vanney and Toronto) and can’t be blamed/faulted.
Josh Tudela showed some class and fine form last year, hasn’t gotten a game yet this season.
Valentin is very promising and advanced for his age (from what is said/read and his soly preseason 45 mins appereance)
So, who gets cut?
(Everytime a player moves, some 12k/year kid gets “churned” off the squad, Czar Ivan’s hollow promises to the contrary …)
I sense the unseen hand of the diabolical Professor Moriarty at work in this ‘trade.’
It’s official. The Revs have traded Joey Franchino to LA for a 2009 2nd round draft pick.
Can I post links to other news articles?
The G’s don’t need ANY more aging players, period. Players that were good MLS players three years ago are below average now because the league has improved. Franchino has proven to be a locker-room/off-the-field headache. This group seems to be pretty grounded. The G’s don’t need a head case. Anybody who makes this decision, Lalas, Bravo, Cobi (probably not Gullit because he doesn’t know Franchino) should be held accountable Franchino turns out to be a bust. The G’s need a bonafide centerback. They have only one on the roster and he doesn’t start (Valentin).
If Franchino’s incident with Flood got press in Boston, imagine the kind of coverage Joey’ll get when he does the same thing with Beckham and Posh!
“David, I just want you to know what American culture is really like. This is what we DO here. So, put on this Yankees jersey, and have another beer. Don’t worry, it’s light beer, you’ll still look ok in your skivvies on the billboards.”
Wasn’t Josh Tudela turning into a pretty good defensive midfielder last year? Is he still with the team? If so converting him to a defender has got to be a better option than bringing in Franchino.
By the way when is Lalas going to be held responsible for putting together this terrible team and be fired? I don’t blame Ruud he seems to have inherited this team from Lalas. It’s time the Galaxy got a general manager that can work with the coach and put together a winning team. If the Galaxy have any salary cap left after bringing in Ruiz, and if they have any draft picks after all the terrible trades Lalas has made for the Galaxy’s draft picks.
If galaxy gets franchino I hope Lalas gets fired. But no I dont want franchino anywhere in LA. When r the galaxy going to start useing valentin.
Good move for the Revs. I’ve been waiting for them to get rid of Joey for a couple seasons now! The guy is horrible.
the galaxy still have draft picks?
I think its funny that both Franchino and Mathis were the two players the Galaxy had to give away when they signed Hernandez, and in the past few months seem to have brought them both back (though Mathis has already moved elsewhere). Galaxy are a mess though.
What’s funny is Joey Franchino was the first ever professional athlete I have ever interviewed as a journalist. Well, when I was a student journalist anyway. Franchino’s a Cal State Fullerton alum (as am I) and I decided to write a story on him for our college paper considering he was captain at the time of the Revolution.
But since then, Franchino has really fallen off the radar with injuries and just bad decisions like the most recent incident.
He can really hurt the Galaxy. Going to his childhood home can really hurt Franchino. H e might feel too comfortable and make even worse off-field decisions. Something the Galaxy really doesn’t want to deal with. Not with a season that’s looking like an utter failure. (Though its offense is pretty watch. Not much else though.)
Bad move for the team if it actually goes through with the transaction.
Jazic had knee surgery and will be out for a few months.
If the Galaxy acquires Franchino, it will reinforce just how imcompetent the front office and coaching staff is. I say “coaching staff” because I believe that Cobi Jones is the main reason that former Galaxy players (Ruiz, Vanney, now perhaps Franchino) are returning. I believe he’s suggesting these moves and that Gullit is relying on him because Cobi “knows the league.”
In any event, Franchino is a head case. He’s nothing but an American version of Xavier (only w/o the steriods). If he’s still acting like a teenager at his age, he doesn’t belong on any MLS roster.
What’s funny is Joey Franchino was the first ever professional athlete I have ever interviewed as a journalist. Well, when I was a student journalist anyway. Franchino’s a Cal State Fullerton alum (as am I) and I decided to write a story on him for our college paper considering he was captain at the time of the Revolution.
But since then, Franchino has really fallen off the radar with injuries and just bad decisions like the most recent incident.
He can really hurt the Galaxy. Going to his childhood home can really hurt Franchino. H e might feel too comfortable and make even worse off-field decisions. Something the Galaxy really doesn’t want to deal with. Not with a season that’s looking like an utter failure. (Though its offense is pretty watch. Not much else though.)
Bad move for the team if it actually goes through with the transaction.
Jazic is injured and won’t be back for weeks and weeks.
I don’t know about this. Biggest weakness is not really the outside, it’s the center. Franchino’s not fast and he’s not a center back, at least he’s not played the bulk of his minutes there. He does get lots of cards.
I haven’t seen him play for so long I can’t recall what his distribution and crossing is like. If those are good, then that’s a step up from what LA has right now in the center and on the left.
On the whole I’d rather have Vanney than Franchino and I can’t imagine playing both Vanney AND Franchino at the same time in the center. I mean, why not just put Xavier on the field? He’s already on the team…
So Vanney and Franchino could both make the pitch if F’s on the left. I totally see the left side getting torched then and its not like Ely Allen is going to provide support on that side, which leave McDonald, who is still learning, or Pires, who’s passing and decision-making are suspect, though his ability to disrupt is not.
I don’t know. I’m not sure this is worth it. Isn’t one of those Cubans a defender?
He’s below average for a starting MLS LB, but he’s probably better than Randolph and Gavin.
Whatever happend to Jazic?
If this move gets Lalas fired as GM of the Galaxy, then I say go for it!
Aside from the obnoxious behavior and reported support of the Yankees while at Fenway, neither Franchino nor Flood is of the quality the league’s level of play now calls for. I would say get rid of both of them, but then the Revs would really have no cover at defensive midfielder.
Haha I can’t believe I just saw a link to the inside track for Revs news. Haha
Because everyone knows LA is a good place to dry out …
link to alleged 2007 incident:
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507234
Joey Franchino is awful, and he’s an outside back to boot. He has never anchored a defense, ever, and only got buy hacking guys down.
Even if I am wrong and he ends up playing well, he is not a guy to settle a defense or be an anchor. You need a calm, skilled player at center back for that.
Fulham could clinch UEFA Cup spot
tribalfooball.com – April 17, 2008
Fulham could clinch a place in Europe, despite their relegation battle.
Roy Hodgson’s team are nineteenth in the Barclays Premier League but seventh in the Fair Play table. The FA expects the best-behaved team to be invited to play in the Uefa Cup next season. Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal are above Fulham but are likely to qualify for Europe via other routes. Manchester City are sixth.
LA must really be desperate.
They lost their hacke Harmse to Toronto and need another I guess.
Parents keep your children out o hotel parking lots!!! Joey Franchino is coming to town!!!
oh yes he can do harm … I loved it when Dempsey slugged him at a Revs practice — that should be the No. 3 moment in Clint’s career highlight reel (behind the goal against Ghana in the World Cup and the goal that saved Fulham from the drop).
Joey reminds me of the “burnouts” in high school who intimidated the other kids but turned out to be wusses when confronted with a bit of might.
A complete thug, but for one absolutely amazing free kick goal that he scored agains the Fire in Naperville about five years ago.
To be fair, he was a decent defender for some time, but besides the injuries, look also at his off-the-field issues. I don’t want to get into it, just google it. There was an incident reported in the Boston press last year. And more recently, the Boston media also reported on his and Gary Flood’s alleged behavior at a Red Sox game … All completely in line with his on-field thug behavior.
So I’m not surprised Lalas wants to bring him to LA!
Sorry,
you can still trade within the league and sign players out of contract after the window closes? Why have a transfer window anyways. MLS can’t afford transfers
oh yes he can do harm … I loved it when Dempsey slugged him at a Revs practice — that should be the No. 3 moment in Clint’s career highlight reel (behind the goal against Ghana in the World Cup and the goal that saved Fulham from the drop).
Joey reminds me of the “burnouts” in high school who intimidated the other kids but turned out to be wusses when confronted with a bit of might.
A complete thug, but for one absolutely amazing free kick goal that he scored agains the Fire in Naperville about five years ago.
To be fair, he was a decent defender for some time, but besides the injuries, look also at his off-the-field issues. I don’t want to get into it, just google it. There was an incident reported in the Boston press last year. And more recently, the Boston media also reported on his and Gary Flood’s alleged behavior at a Red Sox game … All completely in line with his cultivated thug image and his on-field jerky behavior.
So I’m not surprised Lalas wants to bring him to LA!
I’m not so sure it can’t hurt them. It’s possible that a Franchino who’s focused, brings some grit and experience in the league plus is cheap could be an asset for them. On the other hand, NE was willing to turn to far weaker resources (Jay Heaps? James Riley?) as mainstays. Franchino has a penchant for cards and cheap fouls. As a leader and take-no-prisoners kind of guy, he’s an asset. And he likely would be a cheap veteran. But he’s not going to solve their speed or organizational issues on the backline. This smacks of desperation to me and I don’t know if it helps LAG or not.
I though he was playing beach soccer? Ooops, that was John O’ Brien.
Can’t hurt them any.