Galaxy acquire forward Alecko Eskandarian

LA sends allocation money, pick to Chivas USA; terminate Tudela's contract

Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations

Alecko Eskandarian brings a dangerous scoring threat to the Galaxy frontline. (J. Miranda/Getty)

CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy bolstered their attacking core Wednesday by acquiring forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The 26-year-old forward has 28 goals and 12 assists in 122 games during his seven-year MLS career. Originally drafted by D.C. United with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Eskandarian was named the MVP of the 2004 MLS Cup after scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Kansas City at The Home Depot Center.

A New Jersey native, Eskandarian played three years at the University of Virginia before he was selected by D.C. United with the first pick of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. He spent four years with United, scoring 20 goals in 81 games for the club, including a career-best 10 goals in 2004, while helping United win the 2004 MLS Cup championship.

An MLS All-Star in 2004 and 2006, Eskandarian was traded to Toronto FC in December 2006 but played in just six games, scoring one goal before being traded to Real Salt Lake in May 2007. He scored one goal in 17 games with Real Salt Lake at the end of the 2007 season and was traded to Chivas USA in January 2008. In his time with Chivas USA, Eskandarian, who has been capped once by the U.S. National Team, scored six goals in 18 games, including one goal in seven games this season.

To make room for Eskandarian on the roster, the Galaxy have terminated the contract of midfielder Josh Tudela. A 25-year-old midfielder, Tudela has appeared in 23 games with the Galaxy since being selected by the club in the Second Round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, including nine games this season. A two-time National Champion at Indiana, Tudela started 20 of his 23 career games for the Galaxy, collecting two assists.

Eskandarian is eligible to make his Galaxy debut on Saturday, July 4 when they host the New England Revolution in their annual Fourth of July Extravaganza, complete with postgame fireworks, powered by KLOS 95.5 FM. Tickets for this game, and all other Galaxy home games are available now. To order tickets or for more information, please call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit the club's official website, www.lagalaxy.com.

NAME: Alecko Eskandarian
POSITION: Forward
HT: 5-9
WT: 165
AGE: 26
DATE OF BIRTH: July 9,1982 in Montvale, N.J.
HOMETOWN: Hackensack, N.J.
LAST CLUB: Chivas USA
NATIONALITY: U.S.A
COLLEGE: Virginia
ROSTER DESIGNATION: Senior Roster
SQUAD NUMBER: 11

TRANSACTION -- LA Galaxy acquire forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money and a conditional pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Terminated the contract of midfielder Josh Tudela.