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Eddie Lewis and Cory Gibbs are set to come back to the Major League Soccer.
SBI has learned that the Los Angeles Galaxy are set to acquire the rights to Lewis after passing on Gibbs with the top spot in the MLS Allocation order. Lewis is set to return to MLS for the first time since leaving for Europe in 1999. Lewis will now join the Galaxy, currently being coached by long-time national team teammate Cobi Jones.
Cory Gibbs future MLS home has yet to be decided, but new potential destinations have emerged has been picked up by the Colorado Rapids and is expected to slide into a starting central defender role.
Source have informed SBI that the Colorado Rapids are considering selecting Gibbs with the top allocation pick, but Gibbs wants to play for New England, which holds the No. 2 allocation spot after LA selected Lewis. (UPDATE)- The Rapids have used their allocation spot to pick up Gibbs.
So why would Colorado select Gibbs? The Rapids could use the help defensively and there is a tie to Gibbs in the organization. Rapids director of player development John Murphy was an assistant coach at Brown University and recruited Gibbs to attend Brown.
Though that tie exists, sources tell SBI that Gibbs is was more inclined to join the New England Revolution. It remains to be seen just how interested the Revs are were. According to reports out of Central America, New England is on the verge of signing central defender Gabriel Badilla. You may remember Badilla as the defender the Revs were considering signing last winter. With Badilla joining Michael Parkhurst in central defense, Gibbs could potentially have been the Revs left back in a four-man back-line. While it appears unlikely that New England would have traded anything of value to Colorado for Gibbs’ rights, the Revs appeared set to grab Gibbs if the Rapids passed.
As for Lewis, he is expected to help give the Galaxy midfield some balance by providing a dangerous winger on the left flank to complement David Beckham on the right flank. The 34-year-old Cerritos, California native is still playing at a high level, as evidenced by his recent turns with the U.S. national team. His veteran poise should also help a team dealing with plenty of turmoil following the departures of head coach Ruud Gullit and team president Alexi Lalas.
What do you think of the news? Is Eddie Lewis a good fit for the Galaxy? Would the Rapids have been foolish or wise to pass on Cory Gibbs? Could Gibbs help the Rapids halt their current slide? Do the Revs need to take a chance on Gibbs or should they stand pat with their current team and Badilla?
Share your thoughts below.