TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Rumor
There was a notable name missing when the rosters emerged for Friday night's Heineken Rivalry Week showdown between the LA Galaxy and LAFC.
LAFC center back Laurent Ciman was not among those listed on Bob Bradley's game day roster in what was initially described as a coach's decision:
During the first half, however, ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman had some more details about the LAFC captain's absence from the 18, saying, "There’s been rumors about Ciman receiving offers from other teams around the world. And Bradley felt like he wasn’t focused enough and [not having him available is] the risk you take not having him on the bench."
Though the transfer window has closed in Major League Soccer as well as in England and Italy, it will remain open until the end of August in Spain, France, Germany and many other countries, and any team in one of those countries could still theoretically complete a deal for the experienced defender.
Ciman, 33, joined LAFC via trade from the Montreal Impact ahead of the Southern California club's debut season in 2018. The Belgian international, who was the last man cut from his country's World Cup roster this summer, has appeared in 22 regular-season games for the Black-and-Gold and contributed three goals in addition to his defensive efforts. He had spent the previous three seasons in Montreal, his first move abroad after a club career spent entirely in Belgium.
