The LA Galaxy waived three players on Monday, the day that all teams must be roster and salary budget compliant in accordance with MLS rules. The club has waived midfielders Kelly Gray and Kyle Martino, as well as defender Celestine Babayaro. All three, as well as players waived by each of the other 13 MLS clubs, will be available in an MLS Waiver Draft, which will be held on Tuesday, beginning at 12 p.m. (PT).
A native of Kaduna, Nigeria, Babayaro had spent the last month training with the Galaxy, playing once in last weekend's match against FC Seoul. The 29-year old Nigerian had spent time with Belgian club Anderlecht, as well as English sides Chelsea and Newcastle United prior to training with the Galaxy. A Gold Medal winner at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Babayaro also represented his country at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
Gray originally joined the Galaxy on July 3, 2007 in a trade that sent Nate Jaqua to the Houston Dynamo. A six-year MLS veteran, he appeared in six regular season games, as well as three SuperLiga matches and one Open Cup game for the Galaxy last year, but missed most of the final two months of the year with a pair of calf injuries.
Martino played in 35 games in a year and a half with the Galaxy, scoring three goals and adding two assists. The 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year with the Columbus Crew, Martino led all Galaxy field players with 26 appearances for the club in the 2007 regular season, as well as playing three times in SuperLiga and three times in the Open Cup, where he scored once.
The 2008 MLS season is just around the corner and 2008 LA Galaxy season seats are now on sale. Purchasing 2008 LA Galaxy full season seats secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! In addition to season tickets, six and ten game plans are also available. Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy tickets.
