CARSON, Calif. (Monday, November 28, 2011) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has traded goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to Montreal Impact in exchange for allocation money.
One of Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena’s first signings, Ricketts was acquired on December 23, 2008. In three seasons in Los Angeles, he played and started 70 games, logged 6,168 minutes and recorded 27 shutouts, including a club-record 11 in 2010 when he was voted MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Jamaican international was a major factor in the Galaxy’s defensive improvement over the past three seasons, helping turn a club that gave up a league-high 62 goals in 2008 into one of the best regarded defenses in MLS. A two-time MLS All-Star in 2009 and 2010, Ricketts also helped the Galaxy reach MLS Cup twice, in 2009, when the club lost to Real Salt Lake in penalty kicks, and 2011, when it beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0 to win their first league-title since 2005.
Ricketts, 34, made his MLS debut on April 11, 2009 against Chivas USA. The 6-foot-4 Ricketts had an immediate impact. He made five saves, recorded his first shutout and was named MLS Player of the Week. Ricketts, who was named a finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award, played in 26 of the club’s 30 games that season and finished the year with nine shutouts. He also helped the Galaxy return to the playoffs and MLS Cup after a five-year absence.
In 2010, Ricketts had his finest season in MLS. He played in 29 of the club’s 30 regular season games, set a club record with 0.90 goals against average, tied a club record with 11 shutouts, was a member of league’s Best XI and was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Ricketts, who was in goal for all three of the Galaxy’s playoff games, also helped the team set a new club-record for fewest goals allowed in season with 26. The Galaxy finished that year with the best regular season record in MLS, winning the Supporters Shield for the first time 2002.
This season, Ricketts, hampered by various injuries and National Team call ups, only played in 15 of the club’s 34 games. In those 15 games, Ricketts did record seven shutouts and had a goals against average of 0.77.
Originally included on the Galaxy’s post-season tour travel roster, Ricketts did not travel to Jakarta and will not be participating in any of games in the Asia Pacific Tour 2011, presented by Herbalife.
Photos: Best of Donovan Ricketts
