With the arrival of Eduardo Dominguez this week to begin training with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the signing of Argentinean center back has taken one step closer to completion.
There is still paperwork to settle, Dominguez needs to get his visa, and he must also wait for the transfer window to open up on July 15 before he can begin to play in official matches. Still, the Galaxy are excited to have gotten their man.
"He needs to get his paperwork done and then he's OK," said Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit. "He's playing very well at the moment."
Dominguez is a 6-foot, 29-year-old central defender who most recently played with Huracan in Argentina's first division. Dominguez began his career with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina, and has also played professionally in Colombia with Independiente Medellin.
Seeing how Dominguez has only trained with the Galaxy for the last two days, it's hard to say exactly where he will slot into the lineup. But both Dominquez and Gullit are certain that he will play in the center of defense when the time comes.
For Dominguez, that means matching up against opposition forwards he doesn't know very well. While everyone is excited about the Argentinean's potential, it's to be expected that it will take time for Dominguez to settle in.
"He clearly knows how to play the game. He's got a soccer brain that knows how to play. It's going to take some time, like it does for all players, to adjust to this league," said Landon Donovan. "In theory it seems like it should be easy, or easier to play here, but it's really not. There are a lot of good forwards, a lot of pacy forwards. There's going to be a learning curve."
Dominguez doesn't come into the league completely in the dark though. MLS has gained more and more international exposure over the years, and experienced a tremendous boom last season with the arrival of David Beckham. As a result, players coming into the league today know a little more of what to expect.
"I saw games on TV, and also read about the Galaxy and the league in the international press," said Dominguez through an interpreter. "It's a very good league. It's a league that is growing and could be one of the best leagues in the world."
Dominguez won't be available for Thursday's game against Chivas USA, but if all his paperwork goes through without a hitch, he could be available for selection as early as the Galaxy's road game against the New York Red Bulls on July 19. For Dominguez, he's just excited to begin the next chapter in his career.
"I'm very happy to be here," said Dominguez. "Not only this city, but with the LA Galaxy as well."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
