CARSON, Calif. – Donovan Ricketts can be forgiven if he can’t stop smiling.
It has been more than a week since the LA Galaxy re-acquired the two-time, former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year from Orlando City for a second-round selection in next year’s SuperDraft, and the Jamaican still is having a difficult time believing his good fortune.
“I can’t explain,” Ricketts said when asked how special it was to be back with the Galaxy, who originally signed him in December of 2008. “This was the first place I came when I came to MLS.”
“This place is special to my heart. To come back here feels wonderful.”
Ricketts, who turned 38 in June and is second to only Kevin Hartman in career goalkeeper appearances with the club, led the Galaxy to the 2011 MLS Cup title, but salary cap problems forced his trade to the Montreal Impact for allocation money that November. He was dealt to Portland in 2012 and was named Goalkeeper of the Year for the Timbers in 2013.
Orlando City selected him No. 1 overall in the 2015 MLS Expansion Draft and he made 10 appearances for the first-year side as a fill-in until Tally Hall, who was rehabbing a torn knee ligament, was well enough to take over the No. 1 spot.
Ricketts said he was not angered by the situation.
“I guess I was filling in that position until he came back fit,” he said. “If that’s what the team wants to do and that’s how they planned it, you just have to keep working as a player.”
All he knows is he’s back where it all began, and he couldn’t be more thankful.
“I have really good memories,” he said after Sunday’s come-from-behind, 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders at StubHub Center. “I remember the 405 (freeway); I remember everything. I know if I go early I can beat the traffic.”
Defender A.J. DeLaGarza was a rookie in 2009 and part of a rebuilt back line that also featured fellow rookie Omar Gonzalez and second-year right back Sean Franklin. DeLaGarza remembered Ricketts as being demanding on the trio at the time and added the veteran stopper appears to have calmed down a bit since then.
DeLaGarza admitted he was caught off-guard by last week’s surprising transaction, but not so much by Ricketts’ arrival.
“I was probably more surprised that Jaime (Penedo) was leaving under the circumstances and at this time of the season,” he said of the former Galaxy goalkeeper who was placed on waivers. “Obviously they were going to bring in somebody to either push for the starting spot or be the starter. They brought in someone who had been here."
“You know Bruce (Arena). He likes to bring in veterans that he’s coached. He and Donovan know each other pretty well.”
Ricketts revealed he wished all along for a return to Southern California.
“To be honest, I always wanted to come back. It’s very special to me,” he said. “I like the organization, the coaching staff. I always wanted to be back here."
“One more chance to win a championship, so I’ll take it.”
