Kirovski and Kovalenko to Re-Entry Draft


On Friday, the Los Angeles Galaxy chose not to renew the contracts of midfielders Jovan Kirovski and Dema Kovalenko. As a result, both players are now eligible for the Stage 1 Draft of the MLS Re-Entry Process, which takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

The Stage 2 Draft will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET, also via teleconference. Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 Drafts will be conducted in the same order as the traditional Waiver Draft, with Vancouver selecting 17th and Portland selecting 18th. The Galaxy will have the 14th selection in both Stages of the Re-Entry Process.

Jovan Kirovski is in his second stint with the Galaxy, having originally played for the club from 2004-2005. He re-joined the club in November 2008 and appeared in 43 regular season games over the last two seasons, scoring six goals and adding three assists.

A native of Escondido, Calif., the 34-year-old midfielder finished third on the Galaxy this season with four goals, two of which came in the 4-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on June 5. Kirovski's first goal on that day was scored just 47 seconds into the game, making it the third fastest goal in club history.

Dema Kovalenko has been with the Galaxy for two years, joining the club in a trade with Real Salt Lake in January 2009. He appeared in 26 regular season games for the club in that time, scoring once and adding a pair of assists.

Kovalenko scored the first goal of his Galaxy career this season, tallying the eventual game-winning goal in the 3-1 win over Columbus on Sept. 11.

Despite missing significant time over the past two seasons with injury, the 33-year-old midfielder started six of the Galaxy’s seven postseason games in 2009 and 2010.

How does this work? Each MLS club may either select a player from the eligible player list, or pass.

Once a team has passed, they may no longer participate in that stage of the Re-Entry Process. Each stage will continue until all 18 clubs have passed on the available players.

Clubs must exercise the option for, or extend a Bona Fide Offer to, players selected in Stage 1. Players that were out of contract may either accept or reject the Bona Fide Offer.

Should a player reject the offer, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS. Players with option years left on their contract will automatically be added to the drafting club’s roster.

Clubs and players may not mutually renegotiate that price to a lower number until April 1, 2011. Clubs may not select their own players in Stage 1. Players will have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and sign with their previous clubs after Stage 1 is complete until 2:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 13.

In Stage 2, clubs may select from players that are under contract and those not under contract. If a player is not under contract, the drafting club will be required to make a genuine offer to the player within seven days.

In the event that an agreement cannot be reached between the drafting club and an out-of-contract player, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.

Clubs may select their own players in Stage 2 only after all other clubs have declined to select those players.

If a player is not selected in either stage of the Re-Entry Process, that player will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to all clubs.



Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy has announced its new Senior Director of the LA Galaxy Academy Program and Special Projects. His name? Chris Klein.

Yes, the same Chris Klein that retired from the game after the train wreck that was the Qantas Challenge against the Newcastle Jets several days ago.

“We are pleased that Chris will remain with the Galaxy and work with our Academy program,” Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “As a club, we are dedicated to growing our Academy and feel that Chris will be a great asset to both the Galaxy and AEG in this endeavor.”

“I am thankful and honored to be able to remain with the Galaxy and AEG in this new and exciting role,” Klein said. “With the league making great strides in the field of youth development, we all feel that it is essential to have a structure in place to help grow our Academy, not just in the present, but into the future as well.

"The long-term strength of our club will be predicated by the success of our Academy and I am grateful to be able to be a part of that and to be able to help shape the future of this great club.”

While Klein settled in his new role with the organization, the Under-16s and Under-18s were doing the business at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz., for the USSF Development Academy's Winter Showcase.

A recap of the action from both sides will be available in the next installment of the Galaxy Ins and Outs.

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