The Los Angeles Galaxy announced today that they have traded goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to the Montreal Impact for allocation money. Ricketts, who has 87 caps with the Jamaican National Team, played the majority of his career at Bradford City A.F.C. who are currently in League Two in England. The LA Galaxy signed Ricketts in December of 2008 for the 2009 season. Ricketts and the Galaxy went to the MLS Cup final that year, but Ricketts was injured and didn't play in the Cup. The Galaxy lost that match in penalties.
Donovan Ricketts was the Galaxy's #1 goalkeeper through the 2010 season and the first part of 2011. In 2010 he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. In 2011, Ricketts began the year as the Galaxy's top goalkeeper, but was injured in a June game against the San Jose Earthquakes.
That game became famous as backup goalkeeper Josh Saunders was red carded and midfielder Mike Magee had to play in goal for the entire second half. Magee was able to keep a clean sheet, building his legend. Ricketts fractured his arm and missed several months.
When he came back, Josh Saunders had been playing so well he remained the starter. On a road trip to New York, Ricketts started and looked lost most of the game, letting in two goals. Saunders remained the starter through MLS Cup.
The Galaxy protected both goalkeepers ahead of MLS's expansion draft last Wednesday, and many speculated this was to get more value from Ricketts. MLS doesn't disclose the amount of allocation money each team has, but it can be used in signing foreign players. Brian Perk will likely now be the Galaxy's backup goalkeeper.