CARSON, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy have today announced the acquisition of defender Todd Dunivant and goalkeeper Steve Cronin from the San Jose Earthquakes. In exchange for Dunivant and Cronin, the Galaxy sent forward Alejandro Moreno and the rights to defender Chris Aloisi to San Jose.
The teams also swapped first round picks in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, with Los Angeles sending the sixth overall selection to San Jose for the number five pick overall.
"We are extremely excited to have acquired two young players of this quality while also improving our position in the draft," said Galaxy President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. "Todd is one of the best natural left-sided defenders in this League and his presence immediately makes our club better. Meanwhile, Steve is a very promising goalkeeper whom we believe has a bright future ahead of him. His success at the youth national team level suggests that he could be a special player in MLS."
Dunivant, 24, made his MLS debut on April 12, 2003, scoring the game-winning goal in the 22nd minute of a 2-1 defeat of the Colorado Rapids. Over the course of two seasons with the Quakes, the sixth overall selection in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft played in 46 regular season matches - 43 of them starts - and logged a total of 3990 minutes and amassed one goal and six assists for a total of eight points - all of them coming during the 2003 season.
Additionally, he has played in and started three playoff games in his career, going the distance in all three of them, including a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Galaxy on November 1, 2003 at The Home Depot Center.
"Todd is undoubtedly one of the most skilful young defenders in MLS," said Galaxy Head Coach Steve Sampson. "He will be a big piece of the puzzle as we compete for the MLS Cup championship in 2005."
Cronin, 21, the tenth overall selection in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft (first round), has yet to appear in an MLS match since joining the Earthquakes a year ago. A member of the Nike Project-40 program, he spent the 2004 campaign as an understudy to Pat Onstad.
Prior to beginning his professional career, he starred for both Santa Clara University and the U.S. Under-20 men's national team. In 2003, he led the Broncos to a berth in the NCAA semifinals while posting ten shutouts and 0.60 Goals-Against Average (GAA) while also guiding the USA to their best-ever finish at the FIFA World Youth Championship (Fifth) and being named to that tournament's Best XI.
"Steve is a young player that I have known and whose skills I have admired for some time," said Sampson. "We look forward to seeing him continue his growth as a professional in a Galaxy uniform."
Moreno, 25, scored six goals and two assists for a total of 14 points in 2004 with Los Angeles In three seasons as a professional, he has played in 61 regular season games - made 29 starts - and tallied 12 goals and six assists for 30 points. The Venezuelan international has played in eight postseason games - six of them starts and registered two assists. Aloisi, 23, a developmental player in 2004 played in four games for the green and gold during his first MLS campaign, starting three.
TRANSACTION:
Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer) acquired defender Todd Dunivant and goalkeeper Steve Cronin from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for forward Alejandro Moreno and defender Chris Aloisi. Los Angeles also sent the sixth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft to San Jose Earthquakes for the fifth overall selection.
