The expansion side picked up Jamaican International Donovan Ricketts to be, almost certainly, their number 1 keeper.
I kind of figured that Montreal was going to pick up either Ricketts or his L.A. Galaxy teammate Josh Saunders. The Galaxy was not likely to be able to retain both men.
It is a good bit of business for both teams and for Ricketts, who had been riding the pine for the latter half of the season and only got a start in October when Saunders had to serve a red card suspension. Thus Ricketts was unlikely to reacquire the starting role from Saunders short of an injury to Saunders. Ricketts will be the starter and still has many years left in his career.
Montreal gets a proven, excellent, ready to go net minder who has the ability to save a game. There is no questioning Ricketts ability and I think his injury problems are behind him. Montreal gets an outstanding leader on the field as well.
L.A. sheds itself of an international roster spot which will allow them to pick up another international roster position in the midfield or even up top. L.A. also clears some space on the salary cap, even if Saunders renegotiates his contract after a stand out year. Ricketts was carrying a $170,000 a year contract versus Saunders, $63,000 salary. Even a 100% raise to Saunders saves L.A. a big chunk of change.
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