Eddie Lewis set to join LA Galaxy, Gibbs to Colorado (UPDATED)

                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

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.

Comments

[DeLarge]

How do they afford Lewis?

[cbr]

HUGE help to the galaxy. Their left flank was non existant all season with Randolph and Allen playing there. Buddle may get a few headers comming from the left side of the field now

[hartman]

after following the USMNT around the last few years and happening to stay in the same hotel as the team a few times, one thing i've noticed is that lewis and reyna were always together. they both seemed to have an air of arrogance around them (yes, i know, how judgemental of me, particularly of someone i don't know), and i can't help but think lewis will be to LA what reyna was to redbull...a waste of money. where's his motivation?

[John]

How could LA afford either player and if they could, why would they ever select a wide midfielder over a defender.

Plus how could LA being making any major player personel decisions when the coach and GM were just fired?

Who is in charge over there...Cobi Jones? You can't be serious. Paul Bravo maybe.

[scott47a]

Uh oh, here come the anti-Galaxy MLS-cap conspiracy theorists!!!

[George H]

So LA passed on Gibbs when they desperately need defensive help in order to pick up another attacking player in Lewis?

Are we sure that Lalas still isn't the GM there?

[J]

I am happy. I always thought our defensive problems stimmed from a poor midfield. We have needed a left sided midfielder for some time.

I also would have been happy with Gibbs, but I will take Lewis with open arms. Also, he is a local boy and will be very happy

[Chet Y]

Can't Lewis play left defense? I seem to remember him overlapping with Beasley in some USNT games. How the $$ work, I don't know, but if Gibbs doesn't want to play in LA and has a history of knee trouble, why bother. I don't think NE will bite. NY might, though.

[Ben]

LA Galaxy Roster Overview including Salary Calculation
http://www.soccerpubs.com/boards/index.php?s=&showtopic=25483&view=findpost&p=490612

G's have plenty of "yous sucked in 2006 and 2007 allocation money" to spend on incoming players

Ives you could maybe make that sticky for all galaxy related stuff, otherwise it will never stop...

We need help in goal, defense and left mid, Lewis is older than Gibbs, but at least doesn't seem to have a long injury history...

Bravo is currently in charge of all player decisions.

[Nytshade]

It is understood that either of these two selections would be a boost to LA. But how does the Galaxy with the WORST defense in the league pass on a player like Cory Gibbs with his youth, albeit injured youth? If he were to remain healthy, he could be a huge benefit to the Swiss cheese back line currently holding LA in mediocrity. Lewis is great and I admire his play on the field, but it is not what LA needs right now. Regardless, good to have some American talent returning to MLS.

[John]

Also, Lewis is still under contract to Derby for really decent money even if there was a pay cut that came into effect with relegation. I wonder how much Derby will have to pay of his salary to make him go away. Even at his age, he may have suitors in the Championship.

[Thom]

Why Lewis when they need defense and not a left footed Beckham type player?

[zomgwarn]

i think the galaxy are going to just try and forget about improving the defence, and just focus on trying to completely blitz other teams with their offense.

and besides, it makes all galaxy games exciting to watch, because they are goal-fiestas.

[Mark]

I think Lewis go the Gals makes sense since he's a UCLA product. But as other posters have mentioned, who's going to play defense? When healthy and in form, Gibbs is one of the best defenders in the US.

Where does this leave Red Bull on the allocation order once these moves happen?

[john]

there might be free relegation clause in Eddie Lewis's contract so he might be free after all. if you play Football Manager long enough, lots of players ask for that clause

[Steve]

The money is allocation money, presumably, so it's something they have to deal with next year. I wouldn't be surprised if Ely goes down to the Developmental Roster.

While the Glaxay has a problem on defense, the midfield is part of the reason. Plus, if Lewis plays at LM, Randolph is available to go back to left fullback against some of the faster wingers.

[TCompton]

Who is running the Galaxy now?

They're not getting any younger at this point, and someone Lewis's age certainly can't have that high of trade value, regardless of his experience.

That said, it's nice to see Lewis back in the league. I've liked watching him on the National team.

[kpugs]

I don't see why L.A. don't just keep Gibbs and Lewis. I'm sure the league would be more than happy to let them.

[EA]

I know if I was keeper, I'd be sweating bullets on a 30 yard free kick with Lewis and Beckham standing over it.

[Reid]

If Parkhurst is going to leave after this year, Gibbs might not be a bad pick up

[Dan]

With the future of Parkhurst in MLS up in the air, the Revs would be foolish to pass on Gibbs as long as they can get him at a reasonable price given his history of injuries. Heaps and Albright aren't getting any younger, or better for that matter

[Max]

The scarier thought for me is New England with Gibbs and Badilla. They might not concede a goal the rest of the year. Quadruple anyone?

[Steve]

Lewis can play left mid and left back (at least as well as Jazic can!).

Now the Galaxy just needs to find a good centerback... oh, Cory Gibbs. Oops.

[Bill in Md.]

Good scoops today, Ives!

You bring more pride to the rojiblanco than Solano, Pizarro, Farfan or Guerrero combined!

[Bill in Md.]

Why would a team want to take an injury plagued player like Cory Gibbs? Makes no sense. I love how soccer fans on the Internet act like these players can just suddenly become injury free and play at the same level they played at previously. Dream on, people!

[evan]

the gals d is not too bad when everyone is healthy. with jazic and franklin plus dominguez, that is a decent core. i think they will be fine. plus no one knows if gibbs wanted to go there and he hasnt been healthy in four years for longer than two or three months. lewis on the other hand can, if needed play in the back. but more importantly he is a left sided threat and is legitimately of premiership quality. i can see this bolstering the attack two fold. good move.

[Bonji]

A healthy Corey Gibbs helps the Rapids. I'd sign him to see what kind of trade bait he becomes with NE.

[Rashid]

Maybe we can pick up Benny Feilhaber... He's a UCLA product and while we're at it I played at UCLA too! Maybe I should get a contract too. I wasn't on the team and didn't go to school there but I was lucky enough to play a pick up game one satuday about a year or so a ago..

All joking aside, my point is that we need someone to help shore up our defense not bolster our offense unless our plan is to score 4 goals a game and hope that the opposition can only muster 2 or 3.

[Mark]

Heaps to Colorado for Gibbs?

[DemonJuice]

"While it appears unlikely that New England would trade anything of value to Colorado for Gibbs' rights, the Revs would"

Huh?

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Yeah Demon, I caught that too. Not sure what Ives was going for there.

[mcscarlet]

I swear when I read that fast that I thought you were saying that LA was bringing back Cerritos.

[Tony in Quakeland]

After watching the Galaxy's putrid left side against the Quakes, I have to say that Lewis is exactly what they need.

Too bad.

[John]

Wow, just wow--what an incredibly dumb signing by the LAG. I guess that just goes to show that it isn't all Lalas and Gullit--they had help as well.

Yes, Lewis is a good player and yes LAG has nothing on the left flank. But the argument that a better midfield helps their defense is weak:

1. The true midfield spot that team is screaming out for help with is D-mid.

2. They need backline help even more. When you've got a rookie (Franklin) who is probably your best defender, that's really sad.

3. They could even upgrade at GK as most non-LAG fans rate Cronin as one of the worst GKs in MLS at present.

4. But here's the real gut punch from this decision--if they use allocations to make him cap friendly, what do they do in 2009? LAG has got a team where a bunch of players (okay, Vanney doesn't play much) like Beckham, Klein and now Lewis would be getting up there.

The basic reality that the Red Bulls now know, that DC United knows and you'd have figured out LAG would know by now is that if you have 2 players (let alone 3 or 4) making MLS maximum salary, then you don't have depth and you skimp on a lot of solid veteran middle-salary guys like....Dema Kovalenko, Brandon Prideaux, Chris Albright (all 3 guys were cap casualties from those respective teams this off-season and all 3 teams could use those players back).

LAG is at the point where they:
(a) have to sell Donovan either now or in the off-season. Not because he's a bad player but because they need the allocation money for 2009 in order to buy other talent
or
(b) they have to dump Ruiz (which is actually scary given how Buddle always tantalizes with a great run and then disappears).

[ldq]

The Revs definitely need to strengthen their backline. Parkhurst's future is doubtful - he's earned a solid promotion to Europe - Heaps and Albright are getting up there in age, and the Igwe/Teirney Combo is still very green. Lawrentewicz is solid back there, but i think he's needed along with Shalrie in the middle as a marker. Bring Gibbs on, but I would hate to have to trade Heaps for him. That guy is a favorite in the Fort.

[David Berger]

The Los Angeles Galaxy are killing the MLS.

[Isaac]

Eddie Lewis is perfectly capable of playing defense at the left wing position, too. He's been on form lately with the MNT and I think this will be great. I wonder if this means Beckham will have competition on who's taking free kicks. Beckham hasnt scored on a free kick this entire season( correct me if I'm wrong) Eddie Lewis scored on a free kick against Polish keeper Artur Boruc( He's pretty good).I geuss it depends on which side the FK is on. either way Lewis can bring an offensive and defensive mentality to a team. however this might mean no more Ely Allen. or Lewis could be a second half sub. doubt it though Jones WAS Lewis' teammate at one point...

[Curtis Spiteri]

It's a shame, an absolute shame that Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey are the jokes of this league. Different reasons for both, but both jokes.

MLS would be better off if those two markets coached and played more like Houston, DC, New England and Chicago.

Instead, LA is a pub team with two star players and NY is just plain screwed up and mismanaged.

MLS would be far better off if these two markets actually performed.

[Victor]

Other player news...Seattle has a major announcment on Thursday to announce a player signing....and rumor has it that player is Kasey Keller. Ives have you heard about this and do you think its Keller?

[Tim F.]

How can LA fit Eddie Lewis under the salary cap???????

[RK]

Can they sign Keller and loan him to DCU, please?

[Jeremy]

I would rather see Colorado pick up someone who can put the ball in the back of the net instead of getting a defender.

[Raghu]

Great news for Gibbs to come back to MLS. If he can stay healthy - he could put his career right back on track - just in time to be considered for the next WC!

[Kevin]

Oh my... the Galaxy are so STUPID! Why would you pass up Cory Gibbs, 28, for Eddie Lewis, 35?! I know Gibbs had a tendency for injuries and Eddie is one of the best defenders in USMNT history, but he's on the brink of retirement! They should be adding youth to their backline, not age!

[aristotle]

A lot of these comments about the LAG being stupid to take Eddie Lewis seem a little silly.

I don't know what's going on with Cory Gibbs but given what happened with him at Charlton I would be very surprised if he became fully healthy again. That concern alone is justification to pass. Then there is the fact that Lewis can play defense AND midfield so he gives them two options. With so little cap room this seems like a wise choice, if Lewis can still play.

[James]

"anti-Galaxy salary cap conspiracy theorists"? Did you graduate from middle school?

Because even a middle schooler can do basic math.

$425,000 (DB) + 375,000 (LD) + $375,000 (CR) + $375,000 (Eddie Lewis - 'cause you know he isn't coming over for $100k) + the $532,000 in salaries to Buddle, Klein, Vagenas and Vanney alone is over 2 mil. That doesn't factor in Xavier's salary, or the salary of the other TWENTY players on the LA roster.

Go here for the details, in case you want to check the facts:
http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/8_12_08_salary_info_club.pdf

And I'm sorry, but LA doesn't have THAT much allocation money to pay down those salaries.

Now, you tell me the San Jose or Colorado or Kansas City or even Dallas or Chivas want to add a max-salary player, and it is a little easier to believe they have the cap space.

But LA? Sorry, son, but the math just doesn't add up. Or actually, it adds up clearly enough.

[Matt in SF]

Eddie Lewis would be a terrific pick up for the Gals, but isn't it a little like re-arranging the chjairs ont he Titanic?

Playing sexy, attacking football is just a euphemism for having no defense and losing more games than you win. Eddie Lewis is not going to solve that problem while Cory Gibbs (though he is a risky acquisition due to his injury problems) could be the missing ingredient to a good defense.

Anyway, just glad to hear that both are going to be in MLS soon. Two really big acquisitions by the league. Go MLS!

[Matt in SF]

@ James. I think you have some bad numbers. For salary cap purposes I believe that your first DP counts as $400k and any other max salary players as $325k.

[EnglishBrit]

Ives, I solved the mystery!!!

We get LEWIS.

and LALAS and Ruud Gullit are both back in training.

The new looking L.A. Galaxy with Lalas in a mo-hawk will beat CHIVAS on Thursday!

[beckster]

Lewis played left back at last world cup so is at ease in both defense and midfield but I like everyone else want to know how LA can possibly affort Beckham, Donovan and Lewis? I just don't get it.

[Real Madrid Fan]

Eddie Lewis is a great pick-up because he won't turn the ball over as much. Midfield turnsovers are really the main defensive problem with the Galaxy, not personel.

The Galaxy should also switch to Don Fabio Capello's 'Double Pivot' formation to further secure their porous central midfield.
..............Buddle
E.Lewis....Donovan....Beckham
.......Pires.....Vagenas
Jazic...Dominguez...Franklin...Klein
.............Cronin

[scott47a]

Galaxy are cheating! It's ruining the MLS!!

Waah, waah.

I knew it would happen. Always does.

[SDSD]

@James Where did you find Eddie Lewis' salary numbers for the rest of the season?

Besides, the FO would probably prorate his salary for the rest of the season. Even if he was a max salary player--basically impossible--LA has more than enough allocation money to pay him.

I think you should also take a look at the MLS CBA and cap rules, since dev. players and Gen. Adidas players don't count against the cap.

But keep on fighting the good fight. You'll graduate high school soon and maybe learn how to research things before you open your mouth.

[MiamiAl]

The "American David Beckham" will be an excellent addition...

[Chris]

their cm is still so bad. it doesnt matter how good their wide players are because they wont get any service from the cm's anyway. they will be screaming for the ball out wide then sprint back to cover when alvaro pires loses the ball in midfield.

[jig]

yeah, lewis can easily provide cover in the back. I think the fact that he could/maybe should still be in the LB mix with the national team is enough to answer that question.

I also don't subscribe to the idea that lewis will be a reyna-type bust in MLS. He doesn't have nearly the injury history.

also, not sure who remarked that since lewis hangs out with reyna with the USMNT that he is some sort of prima-donna. that's ridiculous! Eddie Lewis is a pro who still has more than enough ability to flourish in MLS with his style of play.

While Gibbs would indeed help the LA backline, I still say 'well done' on the part of the galaxy.

[Jon E]

The only thing this suggests to me is that Cory Gibbs' health must be questionable. I like Lewis as a player and as presence, but the Galaxy really do need pure defenders more than they need an LM who can play LB in a pinch.

Unless they know somebody with a reliable defender or central mid who'd like to trade for Lewis. That's always possible right?

[SonicDeathMonkey]

I think people crying that LA is stupid for passing on a injury prone player who hasn't played a competitive match in TWO YEARS is laughable.

[Mike]

Ives, will Gibbs be ready to go for this weekend?

[MLS Fan]

Ives - Any chance that TFC & Col are talking about deal for Ihemelu after the Gibbs pickup?

[Elninho]

2009 is not actually that difficult a situation for LA. Presently the salary cap problem for LA does not stem from the three DP-level players; it comes from the other six-figure players not performing at that level. Vagenas is definitely not a starter in a healthy Galaxy squad, yet earns on the order of $150k. Vanney is a liability at the back every time he plays, and makes $91k. Jazic, at almost $130k, is currently a starter, but is almost as old as Lewis, and becomes extremely dispensable the moment Lewis signs. The only upper-mid-range players in the squad who are MLS starter quality right now are Buddle and Klein, so I would not doubt the Galaxy's ability to clear cap room in 2009 after using allocation money for 2008.

[Ben]

@ James

Read my post: Ben | August 12, 2008 at 04:07 PM

[Patrick]

A couple things.

1.) Beckham scored on a free kick against RSL.
2.) They have nothing on the left flank, and because of it they can't control the mid, which leads the other teams having lots of attacking chances.
3.) Currently the galaxy have a few players brought in from Gambia on trial. 2 of which are defenders.

They needed some strength on that left side and in the midfield. With a midfielder like Lewis you can count on him to get back, and help stop the attack rather than stand there and watch goals occur.

[Dominghosa]

The best part of this article was the mention of Cerrits, Calif. represent.

[Isaac]

AH thats right his free kick against RSL my bad. However what im trying to say is that EL is in form and can be a vital player in a pinch. possible second half substitute but i think Jones will start him. Lewis' crosses are very dangerous and are capable of finding the man in the box even with defenders around him. Hopefully Lewis can bring a more defensive element to Galaxy's game or else this will only have added another attacking star. however i have no doubt lewis will help on the defensive end

[James]

Matt in SF - okay, so my numbers are slightly off. It STILL doesn't add up.

Doesn't matter - as usual, an overly stocked team is not what succeeds in MLS and LA will miss the playoffs once again. When will NY and LA learn that it is the NE/Houston model that wins in MLS (i.e., NOT with designated players, but with the right role players playing as a team), not the NY/NJ/Metro/RBNY-Hermosillo/Hernandez Galaxy model?

[GalaxyJunky]

It took Lalas to leave for the Galaxy to make a smart move! The midfield has been a major problem all year. Lewis will help will help with possession and the backline will benefit.

Now if they could only move Beckham to the middle and push Klein to midfield, the Galaxy can turn this thing around.

[DCFC Fan]

As a Derby County fan and season ticket holder, can I just check that you are honestly talking about the Eddie Lewis that is currently at our Club?

I can't believe some of you think he is a good player? He is absolutley terrible and I can guarantee you 99% of Derby fans would actually personally pay his air fare to the US just to get rid him.

I know we had a terrible season last season and haven't exactly started brightly this season but I am being honest here when I say Eddie Lewis is the worst of a bad bunch.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign Lewis ASAP - one of thew worst players I have ever seen in a Derby shirt and there have been more than a few bad ones!!

[DCFC Fan]

Sorry forgot to say good luck for the season!!

[DougO]

Eddie Lewis played one year in MLS with Paul Bravo, in 1996 for the San Jose Clash, before Bravo got traded to Colorado in 1997. Bravo's personal connection might be part of the reason LA took Lewis instead of Gibbs.

[Joey]

In my opinion, the Rapids' defensive problems are on the sides of the field rather than in the center. And Colorado needs a forward who can score much more than it needs a new central defender. If the Rapids could manage to score some goals, the team could make do with its current defensive makeup. In any case, adding a new central defender would just necessitate the defense taking more time to adjust to a new face. And the scoring drought will continue. So maybe the addition of Gibbs will allow Colorado to salvage a 0-0 draw at home, rather than getting shut out 1-0.

[Derby Fan]

As a Derby County fan i will pay anyone good money to take Eddie Lewis off our hands. He is useless.. ya very welcome to him!

[Rams_fan]

Good luck to Eddie on his return to the US - Just how soon can you take him? :-)

[Luke dcfc]

I'll carry him back to LA if you like.
Please buy him!

[Rhen]

Shoring up the midfield is the best way to fix the Galaxy Defense. Xavier wasn't that bad...simply exposed by a putrid midfield. It wouldn't have mattered who was on the back line. Beckham has to move to the centre.