By Ridge Mahoney, Senior Editor
NELLIE SIGNS: Ryan Nelsen is finally a former MLS player.
According to the Blackburn Rovers Web site, the New Zealand international has signed an 18-month contract with the Premiership club following a successful trial.
ôYou want to play at the highest level and this is it,ö Nelsen was quoted on the club Web site. ôEverything at Blackburn is first-class.ö
Questions regarding a work permit, for which he wouldnÆt qualify because the Kiwis have dropped out of the top 70 in the FIFA rankings, were rendered moot when he received a working holiday visa that allows citizens of Commonwealth countries to work in the UK.
ôHe was outstanding,ö said U.S. international Brad Friedel last week of NelsenÆs trial. ôHopefully, that will get sorted out.ö
Blackburn has also signed South African national team captain Aaron Mokoena, a product of the Ajax youth system who played holding midfielder for Belgian club Genk. Manager Mark Hughes has yet to tip his hand on where his newcomers will play, but they could be paired in the middle of a Blackburn defense that only recently has patched up its leaks.
Blackburn had planned on acquiring 18-year-old American defender Jonathan Spector on loan from Manchester United until an injury crisis hit Coach Alex FergusonÆs club. On Tuesday, Spector made his first Premier League appearance since Aug. 20 when he came on as an 84th-minute sub in Man UÆs 0-0 tie with Tottenham.
During the past four seasons NelsenÆs robust play, his passion, and Christchurch accent have been staples of D.C. matches. ôEven though I canÆt understand what heÆs saying that accent is one of a kind,ö said teammate Nick Rimando in the aftermath of MLS Cup 2004. ôWe give him stick all the time about it but he gets us going.
ôNelsen is a world-class defender. HeÆs probably the best defender IÆve ever had the privilege to play with. HeÆs going to do big things in his career. Who knows what will happen but everyone in the league recognizes how good he is.ö
GALAXY SIGHTINGS: Reports in La Nacion and other Spanish-language news services that Costa Rican midfielder Michael Umana and goalkeeper Adrian de Lemos are bound for Home Depot Center have not been confirmed by Galaxy officials.
Both play for Herediano in the Costa Rican league and will qualify as transitional internationals. L.A. coach Steve Sampson coached the Costa Rican national team until last summer.
Also not confirmed are reports that the team will extend its loan arrangement for midfielder Marcelo Saragosa with Brazilian club Sao Paulo. The Galaxy paid between $125,000 and $150,000 — a combined total for salaries and a loan fee — for SaragosaÆs services last year, according to sources.
No source would put a price on what it would cost the Galaxy to buy his rights but it is believed to be in the high six figures, which is one reason the club had no worries when it didnÆt protect him during the expansion draft. ôNo one will take him, heÆs too expensive,ö said a source. It was also unclear at the time of the expansion draft if a loan extension could be worked out.
Sampson has downplayed rumors of a rift between him and striker Carlos Ruiz, who scored 11 goals while playing only 20 games for the Galaxy because of injuries and national-team call-ups and in many matches didnÆt look as sharp or hungry as heÆd been the previous two seasons.
ôI get along with him very well,ö said Sampson. ôThe problem has been that Guatemala finds themselves for the first time in long time with a real chance to qualify for the World Cup. YouÆre talking about 3 and a half spots out of six now and obviously heÆs extremely important to their success and itÆs very important to him.
ôWeÆre going to work with the Guatemalan federation so he can fulfill his commitments to Guatemala and the Galaxy and be productive for both. We have to try to keep him as fresh as possible because the travel and fatigue will be considerable.ö
WALDOÆS VIEW: The frustrations of France Æ98 persist for ex-U.S. international Eric Wynalda, whose opinions of Sampson havenÆt softened.
ôHeÆs not the worst thing thatÆs ever happened to American soccer, but American soccer is the best thing thatÆs ever happened to Steve Sampson,ö says Wynalda, who will again work on the ESPN2 and ABC broadcasts of MLS games this season.
ôIn what other country could he get the plum job in the pro league? It would never happen.ö