The Los Angeles Galaxy has signed Guatemalan national team star Martin Machon, GM Danny Villanueva announced today.
The 24-year-old midfielder/defender has made 22 appearances for his country, and impressed MLS officials with his play during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches this past fall.
Machon began his professional career in 1991 with Galcasa of the Guatemalan First Division. He moved to Aurora FC in 1993, helping the team capture the 1993-94 Guatemalan championship. After a brief stint with Badajoz of the Spanish Second Division, he returned to Guatemala and led Comunicaciones to back-to-back league titles in 1995 and 1996.
“We are extremely fortunate to have signed a defender of Machon’s caliber and international experience,” said Villanueva. “Machon will definitely strengthen our already solid defnse led by captain Dan Calichman.”
Machon is set to join the Galaxy in Guadalajara, Mexico on Feb. 12.
Hahnemann signs with Colorado
Goalie Marcus Hahnemann, who helped lead the Seattle Sounders to the last two A-League championships, was allocated to the Colorado Rapids Feb. 10.
“I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to step up to the next level in my home country,” the 24-year-old keeper said. “MLS has clearly established itself as a premier professional soccer league, and I am happy to be a part of its ongoing success right here in Denver.”
Hahnemann, whose parents came to the U.S. from Germany 20 years ago, starred collegiately at Seattle Pacific University, where he helped the Falcons win the 1993 NCAA Division II Championship and became the school’s only three-time all-America selection.
In his career with the Sounders, he was the A-League’s top-rated keeper in two of his three seasons. He led the league with nine shutouts in 1995 and was named the league’s Championship MVP. He also appeared with the U.S. national team four times.
“Marcus has established himself as one of the top young American goalkeepers,” said Rapids head coach Glenn Myernick. “He is a veteran of the U.S. national team goalkeeper pool, possesses great quickness for a man of his stature [Hahnemann is 6-3 and 220 pounds] and he is a proven winner. Being a winner is an important ingredient as we look to make huge strides this season.”
Tampa, D.C. will scrimmage in Florida
As a favor to defending MLS champion D.C. United, the Tampa Bay Mutiny will scrimmage against Bruce Arena’s club Feb. 13 at the Meadowlawn School in St. Petersburg, Fla.
D.C. has been granted permission by MLS to open training camp early because of its trip to Japan to face Nagoya Grampus Eight in the Sanwa Bank Cup on March 2. United is already working out in Bradenton, Fla.
The game will be at 6:30 p.m. (ET), with an autograph session afterward. Admission is free.