Chivas USA continued its roster transformation on Friday, sending forward Alan Gordon to Toronto FC for midfielder Nick LaBrocca.
The acquisition of LaBrocca is the latest addition of a quality MLS veteran to Robin Fraser's Chivas USA side. The Rojiblancos have also added Jimmy Conrad and Heath Pearce, while also drafting Zarek Valentin and bringing in Seth Owusu on loan.
For Toronto FC, the move was made to add a forward to a depleted front line. Gordon might not be considered the quintessential striker for an Ajax-inspired system, but it should be noted Gordon's best season in MLS came 2008, when he registered five goals and seven assists for a Ruud Gullit-coached Los Angeles Galaxy side.
LaBrocca never really settled in with TFC, but before that he developed a good reputation with the Colorado Rapids, where he played with Chivas USA assistant Greg Vanney.
What do you think of the trade? Like the deal for Chivas USA? Wondering what Toronto FC is thinking?
Share your thoughts below.
Labrocca was surplus to requirements in a loaded TFC midfield. Between De Guzman, De Rosario, and the youth team players coming in, his minutes were numbered. It’s probably best for him to have been moved on where he’ll continue to get minutes on the pitch. Gordon will be a depth player for us, as Winter has already said that is TFC’s main problem.
I didn’t know “settling” was measured by appearances and minutes played. Ya learn something new everyday!
Actually Ruud Gullit and Aron Winter are good friends. It’s possible Gullit suggested Gordon to Winter.
I somewhat doubt Winter would have acquired Gordon based on his performance the past two seasons.
And seeing how Winter didn’t find the striker he was looking for during the offseason, he probably made the move, especially seeing as how first kick is not too far away now.
Good deal for both sides; LaBrocca add experienced, solid depth to Chivas, and probably did not fit well into TFC’s new scheme. Gordon adds a solid target forward option to TFC, and I think Chivas fans will be happy not to see the dual target forward combination of Gorden and Braun this season 🙂
Dream on, Canns come back to the fold citing Toronto being his home town as one of the reasons. Gordon is no more than a cheap back up, fine by me, Labrocca was ok and tradeable especially as we have a dearth of players in his position in midfield.
LaBrocca never really settled? What does that mean? He led TFC in appearances last year and was fourth in minutes played.
If you are asking Gordan to hold a ball…it better be a game of pointy-ball
They didn’t sign him to score goals, they signed him to hold up the ball high and centre, because they’re playing a system with two wide forwards and DeRosario in the hole.
Galaxy trade Gordo for money so they can afford JPA. Then they get Barrett from TFC to replace Gordo. Then TFC trades with Chivas for Gordo to replace… Barrett?
I once saw Alan Gordon shank a sitter. Twice in one game.
But that’s more than what I’ve ever seen from Chad Barrett.
Alan Gordon’s a nice guy and a solid player with an unquestioned workrate — two traits that used to get you very far in this league once. Unfortunately, the league’s evolved to require finesse and talent from its marquee strikers and Gordo comes up far short there.
Out of sentimentality – and knowing the guy’s a SoCal surfdog through and through – I really hope he finds his way back to the West Coast in short order.
Perhaps the Galaxy can trade Barrett for him…
Ha! You’re funny.
They already had the torture of Chad Barrett…now Alan Gordon? Just when you thought TFC might be turning the corner…
Cann??? They are lucky they got anything in return for Gordon. Fraser is making great moves.
Gordon is a beast. 10 goals this year, easy.
LOL. The fact that Gordon’s best season with the Galaxy came when he was coached by a Dutchman somehow means anything about playing for TFC under a different Dutch coach?
Not sure Gordon’s success in 2008 can be attributed solely to the Dutch coach. also not sure LaBrocca rates higher than Gordon, but hey, I’m not coaching either team.
“Never really settled” is not accurate, he played a ton of minutes for TFC last year and was one of the few who has played well in their pre-season games this year.
You can tell already that Fraser will play a 4-5-1 because he has to play Gavin as an AM, and now he’ll have LaBrocca and Nagamura sitting in front of the defense, and choices at LM and RM of everyone from Panchito to Lahoud to Trujillo to Mayen.
Braun up top, Estupinan off the bench as a second forward.
Chivas USA win this trade.
What a bad move by Chivas. The midfield is crowded already. They should have traded Gordon for Cann and let go of Ante Jazic.
We are used to that at TFC. He’ll fit right in.
Gordon seems like a nice, intelligent guy and I wish him well. But the dudeonce fell out of a boat and missed the water.
Meh. Neither of them fit into a fluid attacking system, so I don’t think it’s a good move for TFC. If I were Winter, I would have gone after Braun.