By IVES GALARCEP
D.C. United were looking to boost their stable of forwards and they have turned to a player with a track record of scoring goals in MLS.
D.C. acquired Guatamalan striker Carlos Ruiz via the MLS Allocation process on Wednesday, becoming the fifth team in MLS that Ruiz has called home.
The ninth all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history with 88 goals, Ruiz returns to MLS after spending time in Mexico and Guatemala. He last played in MLS with the Philadelphia Union in 2011.
The former MLS MVP and MLS Cup champion with the LA Galaxy (in 2002) is 33, but he showed just last fall against the U.S. Men’s National Team that he can still score goals. He has also had a history of being a notorious diver, which is why he returns to MLS as one of the most hated players in the league.
Ruiz joins a D.C. forward stable that includes Chris Pontius, Lionard Pajoy, Casey Townsend and Rafael Teixeira de Souza.
Ruiz retired from the Guatamalan national team last fall after the team’s elimination from World Cup qualifying. He finished as Guatamala’s all-time leading scorer with 55 goals.
What do you think of the signing? See Ruiz still being an effective goal scorer in MLS? Think he’s not worth it at this point in his career? Consider him the biggest villain in the league now that Rafa Marquez is gone?
Share your thoughts below.