Even though MLS expansion team LAFC does not begin play until '18, the Galaxy yesterday fired their "first shot against their would-be rivals by signing one of the top players on the Mexican national team" in MF Giovani dos Santos, according to Jaime Cardenas of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. A source said that the Galaxy will pay a $7M transfer fee to La Liga club Villarreal for dos Santos, which is the "third-highest" in MLS history behind Toronto FC's $10M for MF Michael Bradley and the Sounders' $9M for F Clint Dempsey. dos Santos is "one of the most popular players of his era and the team is banking on his marketability to grow its brand and create a footprint" within L.A.'s large Mexican-American community. dos Santos' first game with the Galaxy "could come Aug. 6" at StubHub Center in a CONCACAF Champions League game. His first MLS game would be "three days later" at home against the Sounders, which airs on ESPN. (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/16). In L.A., Baxter & Hadley report the Galaxy's telephone lines "were filled with people wanting to buy tickets" within hours of the signing. The signing "could be among the most significant in the 20-year history" of MLS, as it counters the "widespread perception that MLS is the last stop for top-flight international players looking for a soft landing on their way to retirement." It could be "even more significant for the Galaxy, whose mostly white, suburban fan base has traditionally had little representation from Southern California's largest and more passionate soccer supporters: Latinos." If the Galaxy can "capture Latino fans" before LAFC enters MLS in '18, it would "hinder LAFC's ability to develop a supporter base of its own." dos Santos' contract is the "second-longest in club history, extending through two seasons after LAFC's debut" (L.A. TIMES, 7/16).
MATCH MAKER: In L.A., Chris Trevino writes while dos Santos’ signing "will boost the league and the Galaxy on the field," the move has "arguably a bigger impact off the field with the Latino community" in the L.A. market. Time Warner Cable Deportes soccer announcer Elmur Souza said, "I think this is huge for the Latin and Mexican community because it’s one of the biggest players at just 26 years old. He has a lot of quality and a lot of impact. He’s an idol for millions of people." Trevino notes dos Santos is the "first Mexican star to join MLS while in the prime of his career." Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said, "We have a huge Hispanic population in Los Angeles ... probably well over a million Mexican-Americans. I think it’s great they will have one of their countrymen here and they will be very excited to support him.” Trevino notes while also "improving the franchise’s reach with the Latino community," dos Santos "represents an enormous amount of potential from a marketing standpoint in the state with the largest Hispanic population in the U.S." (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/16). YAHOO SPORTS' Leander Schaerlaeckens wrote the signing "is seminal" for MLS. It means "much more than a likely consolidation" of the L.A. market for the Galaxy, who "have had trouble drawing Mexican fans." dos Santos is "one of the best players in North America," and for MLS to "be able to snag him squarely in his prime ... is another major victory" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/15).
