DALLAS - FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced today that the club has acquired forward Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for an allocation. Per club policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Following the 2003 season, we gathered as an organization and compiled a list of players who, if available, we would do everything in our power to acquire. Carlos Ruiz was at the top of that list," said Elliott. "This is a deal we have been working on for several months and we are elated to bring Carlos to FC Dallas.
"Carlos has been the most prolific goal scorer in the league over the past three seasons and, by putting him together with Eddie Johnson, we immediately form the most exciting and dangerous strike force in Major League Soccer."
Ruiz, 25, has scored more goals during his three seasons in Major League Soccer than any other player. During his 72 matches from 2002-2004, he has tallied 50 goals. Being named an All-Star in each of his first three seasons, he earned Pepsi All-Star Game MVP honors in 2003.
The 5-9, 170-pound forward led the league in 2002 and set a new Galaxy record for goals in a season with 24. He was also named MLS Honda Most Valuable Player in 2002 and set a new league-record for game-winners in a season with nine. During the 2002 MLS Cup, he scored the game-winning goal earning the Galaxy its first league championship in club history.
Last season with the Galaxy, Ruiz opened the season with goals in his first four matches (five goals), including two tallies on Apr. 24 vs. Columbus. He led the Galaxy in scoring with 11 goals and 24 points in 20 matches. His 1.20 points per game ranked second in MLS and his 11 goals finished tied for third.
The Guatemala City native has appeared in 52 international matches with Guatemala, scoring 23 goals. Guatemala and the United States are set to battle in the final round of World Cup qualifying on Wednesday in Birmingham, Alabama (6 p.m. CST, ESPN2). The match will feature Ruiz playing against his new FC Dallas teammate Eddie Johnson. Johnson is the only player in the 90-year history of the U.S. Men's National Team to score as many as seven goals in his first six appearances.
Carlos Ruiz, head coach Colin Clarke and President and General Manager Greg Elliott will be holding a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, March 31 at The Westin Stonebriar Resort in Frisco (1549 Legacy Drive, Frisco, TX) at 4:00 PM. Additionally, Carlos Ruiz will help formally introduce the new FC Dallas home uniform.
