Howard calls out Ruiz

Timmy Howard on Carlos Ruiz following the U.S.'s 1-0 win over Guatemala in which Ruiz kicked Howard after the whistle:

"He caught me. He kicked me straight in the head. With Carlos, you expect that. You know what? He's dirty. I wish I could say otherwise. I've seen it [in MLS]. There is no place for it. It's reckless. It's there for everyone to see. I kind of expect it ... That's what he does. I think you would rather have him be a man out there and say, 'Look, I don't like you, I am going to kick you.' You can almost respect it in a funny way. He has this way about him. He kicks, he punches, he's an *&%$@#. And he wants to come and be your friend [when he tried to apologize]. There is no place for it."

(Courtesy of the Goffinator)

BTW, the Galaxy traded the douche in question to Toronto FC today to make room for the U.S.'s other cheap shot victim from last night, Eddie Lewis.

Chicago acquire Marco Pappa

Guatemalan club CSD Municipal have loaned midfielder Marco Pappa to the Chicago Fire for the remainder of this season through the end of 2009.

Pappa, 20, will likely debut tonight against visiting EPL club Everton. Chicago return to MLS action on Saturday against Chivas USA.

In other trade news, Los Angeles is still shopping Carlos Ruiz to all-comers. New York and Dallas have reportedly expressed interest in el pescadito.

Galaxy target Peruvian midfielder

According to The Times (UK), the Los Angeles Galaxy have targeted recently released Peruvian winger Nolberto Solano.

Solano, 33, played for L.A. coach Ruud Gullit at Newcastle in 1998-99. He has 82 caps with the Peruvian national team and 20 goals.

According to the reports, the Galaxy are "in talks" with Solano. But the question is now he would fit into the roster. Abel Xavier, who had some choice words for Gullit, was waived to make room for Eduardo Dominguez, so the addition of Solano, cast doubt on Carlos Ruiz's future with the club, despite a recent start (and goal) for L.A.

Galaxy addition equals Ruiz subtraction

Los Angeles have signed Argentine defender Eduardo Dominguez, according to MLS headquarters and will join the team after he obtains a visa and international transfer clearance.

This likely signals the end of Carlos Ruiz's Galaxy days, but no reports on whether he's been dealt to another MLS squad or simply released. Dominguez, 29, joins the Galaxy from Huracan in Argentina's first division.

"We are excited to add Eduardo to our squad and believe that he will add balance, quality and experience to our defense," Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo said. "He has all the attributes necessary to be an outstanding defender in this league."

The Galaxy made no mention of Ruiz in the press release but added that "the Galaxy will need to clear a senior roster spot in order to officially add Dominguez to the roster."

Three-way deal sends McBride home

Dina and Brian McBrideIt appears that Brian McBride is headed home to join the Chicago Fire, thanks to a three-way trade between Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto.

In the deal, Los Angeles will send out-of-favor striker Carlos Ruiz to Toronto FC. Toronto will trade to Chicago their allocation rights to McBride, and the Fire, in turn, will send Wilman Conde to Los Angeles. Toronto, who were due the next major allocation, were supposedly holding up the deal until they were satisfied with the return.

But the deal makes sense for all parties involved, as McBride was hoping to return to his native Illinois, Conde reportedly had a bust up with Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco and wanted to leave the Fire, and LA was looking to deal an unhappy Ruiz. It is unclear whether Ruiz is willing to go north of the border, but it certainly would provide him with a chance to be the star forward in a starless Toronto attack (My apologies to Mr. Dichio).

LA to throw back 'Little Fish'

Los Angeles is attempting to throw back Guatemalan forward Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz in order to shore up a dreadful backline. Reports out of Several Spanish-language news sources say the Galaxy are targeting Argentinean defender Eduardo Dominguez.

But it appears that no one wants Ruiz or his $460,000 annual salary. Not even San Jose who sit toothless at the bottom of the table.

It's a far cry from the early days for Ruiz, a one-time MLS MVP (2002) and Golden Boot winner (2002). Ruiz must reminisce about the heady days of 2002 with the Galaxy, when he was picking up hardware like a Home Depot. And he has to be wondering why he turned down a multi-year deal with FC Dallas to return to the Galaxy in 2007 now that his old team doesn't even want him.

With the emergence of Edson Buddle, while Ruiz sat due to a knee injury sustained on the opening day match, combined with Los Angeles' porous defense, Ruiz quickly became persona non grata.

Meanwhile, Dominguez waits in the wings for a roster slot, having already left his previous club Huracán in Argentina's Primera División.