Advertisement

Galaxy’s Sean Franklin goes to D.C. United

Galaxy defender Sean Franklin, right, tries to keep the ball away from FC Dallas forward Fabian Castillo during a game in 2012. Franklin played six seasons with the Galaxy.
(Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
Share

Defender Sean Franklin, who became eligible for Major League Soccer’s re-entry draft when his contract option was declined by the Galaxy, was selected first in that process Thursday, going to D.C. United.

A former MLS rookie of the year, Franklin played six seasons with the Galaxy, winning two MLS Cups and playing in 160 regular-season games, eighth most in club history. Franklin also has one national team cap.

A four-year starter at Cal State Northridge, Franklin was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.

Advertisement

Also selected in stage one of the re-entry process was Seattle forward Steve Zakuani, who was taken by the Portland Timbers; Chicago midfielder Corben Bone, chosen by the Philadelphia Union; and Seattle defender/midfielder Marc Burch, who went to the Colorado Rapids. Stage 2 of the re-entry draft will take place Wednesday.

Also on Thursday, Chivas USA continued its recent wheeling and dealing by shipping defender/midfielder Jorge Villafana to Portland for defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste. In the trade Portland also received Chivas’ selection spot in Thursday’s draft, which it used to select Zakuani.

Jean-Baptiste, 21, played two seasons with the Timbers, appearing in 31 matches.

Villafana, who went to Anaheim High, was the longest-tenured Chivas player, having joined the team in 2007 after winning the debut edition of the soccer talent search Sueno MLS. He was known then as Jorge Flores but in 2011 he went to court to adopt his mother’s maiden name as a Christmas present to honor her sacrifices in raising him.

Villafana, 24, played 86 games for Chivas in his seven seasons, scoring seven goals.

ALSO:

Fourteen gamblers bet on Auburn to win BCS title at 1,000-1 odds

Dolphins’ Mike Pouncey testifies in Aaron Hernandez case, report says

Advertisement

Watch Andrew McCutchen propose to his girlfriend on Ellen DeGeneres’ show

Advertisement