Real Salt Lake got some defensive help Wednesday, acquiring Paul Broome from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a second round selection in the 2007 SuperDraft. RSL made space for Broome on their senior roster by waiving Trinidad & Tobago international Marlon Rojas on Monday.
With the moves, RSL are dropping one left-sided defender in favor of another. In Broome, the club finds MLS experience, pace and the ability to get involved in the attack.
"Paul Broome is a talented, experienced defender and somebody we'd hoped to get in the initial 2004 MLS Expansion Draft. But the opportunity presented itself for us to obtain him and we went for it," said RSL head coach Ellinger said. "He adds great technical ability and pace, and our hope is that he can bring some additional stability and depth to our defense."
In Salt Lake City, Broome will be reunited with former Dallas Burn teammate - and admirer - Jason Kreis.
"Paul is a tenacious defender and is quite good with his feet. He is one of the fastest if not the fastest player in the league," Kreis said. "He is an extremely competitive professional and should be exactly what our team needs right now."
Now in his seventh season in the league, Broome has had to settle for being a role player with the Galaxy this year as head coach Steve Sampson brought in a handful of new defenders who have earned most of the playing time at the back. After playing in 22 games last year, Broome has made just three appearances so far this season and started just one match.
Broome started his career with the Burn in 1999, steadily earning playing time until his fourth year with the club, in which he became a full-time starter. In 2003 he was traded to the Galaxy, along with Ryan Suarez and Antonio Martinez, in exchange for Ezra Hendrickson and Gavin Glinton. Broome has made a total of 116 appearances and 87 starts during his MLS career, registering two goals and 17 assists.
The draft pick Real Salt Lake traded to the Galaxy to acquire Broome originally belonged to Chivas USA. RSL obtained the pick in March as part of a three-way trade that resulted in Douglas Sequeira joining Chivas USA and Pablo Brenes moving to Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
