Carson, CA – The LA Galaxy announced on Tuesday that they acquired, nine year goalkeeping veteran, Dan Kennedy. Kennedy was traded to the LA Galaxy from FC Dallas. In exchange the LA will send their 2nd and 3rd round selections in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
For the LA Galaxy this is a solid pickup in a position of need. With only one goalkeeper currently signed to the senior roster (Brian Rowe) and another youngster rumored to have signed from LA Galaxy II (Clement Diop), the team was in need of an experienced man between the posts. Add to it that Kennedy is a local product who’s made 160 appearances while recording 481 saves, and 33 shutouts in his MLS career and it’s understandable why everything made sense.
“Dan is a very good player and proven goalkeeper in our league. He will be a strong addition to our team both on and off the field,” LA Galaxy head coach and General Manager Bruce Arena.
Kennedy was born in Fullerton, California and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he lead the Gauchos as the all-time leader in victories (63), shutouts (34) and held a goals against average of 0.55.
In MLS Kennedy was a member of Chivas USA from 2008-2014 where he became their all-time leader in a number of categories – Games Played (144), games started (142), saves (451), shutouts (28) and minutes played (12,764). He was acquired by FC Dallas after the conclusion of the 2014 season in the Chivas USA dispersal draft (Chivas USA officially stopped operation after the conclusion of the 2014 season).
This should settle the goalkeeping position that saw Donovan Ricketts fill in after a contract dispute led, Panamanian goalkeeper, Jaime Penedo to part ways with the team during the 2015 season. Ricketts, while serviceable, allowed 10 goals in his last 3 games and ultimately saw the LA Galaxy’s season come to an early end.
While Kennedy is 33 and coming off a season that saw him suffer some ailments his 16 appearances with FC Dallas should prove that, when healthy, he’s still capable of being considered one of the better ‘keepers in the league. He made 3o saves in 2015 with a 1.55 goals against average.
Dan Kennedy will look to be the missing piece in a particularly poor LA Galaxy defense. A defense that gave up 46 goals in 2015 (3rd worst in the Western Conference).
Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.