From Deseret News archives:
Defender Broome acquired by Real from L.A. Galaxy
But sprained ankle could delay his debut with Salt Lake squad
RSL general manager Steve Pastorino announced Wednesday the acquisition of defender Paul Broome from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a 2007 second-round pick.
"We're very happy to have an MLS veteran, who can come in and arguably jump right into the starting lineup," said Pastorino.
The pick Salt Lake surrendered for Broome originally belonged to Chivas USA but was dealt to RSL during the three-way preseason trade that sent Pablo Brenes back to his native Costa Rica and Douglas Sequeira from Costa Rica to Chivas USA.
Brenes was Real's third pick in the expansion draft.
Broome, 30, is in his seventh Major League Soccer season, 4 1/2 of which were spent in Dallas at the beginning of his career. Midway through the 2003 season he was traded to Los Angeles, where he started a handful of games in 2003 and then 20 in 2004.
Despite his tremendous speed — which former Dallas teammate Jason Kreis says is among the fastest in the league — Broome only started once this year for the Galaxy, a team loaded at defense this year.
"Coming into this season with L.A., my role was to be playing. I was told I'd have the same role as the previous season," said Broome in a telephone interview Wednesday. "But for whatever reason I never had a chance to lose my job; it was just given away."
Broome isn't quite sure when he'll arrive in Salt Lake City. Two weeks ago he sprained his ankle in an exhibition game against Japanese side Yokohama and was targeting the Fourth of July weekend for his return.
Regardless of whether he's on the field this weekend, or next, Kreis believes Broome's tenacity and competitiveness can only help the struggling expansion franchise that has three wins in 15 matches.
"Obviously all of us have to take some of the responsibility," said Kreis. "Having said that, I think all of us have to come to the realization that we need help."
In 15 games this year, RSL has started Matt Behncke, Marlon Rojas, Nelson Akwari and Brian Kamler at left back, with Kamler starting three of the past four. Even though Kamler has enjoyed perhaps the best stint of the quartet at left back, he's more of a natural midfielder.
To make room for Broome, the club released Rojas on Monday.
Rojas started seven of 15 games for RSL this year, but only once since May 11. In his lone start since then, Salt Lake was soundly beaten by Chicago 3-0.
ADDING ANOTHER: Late Wednesday, RSL filled the roster spot vacated by goalkeeper Noah Palmer when he had season ending shoulder surgery with Adolfo Gregorio via a trade with the Colorado Rapids.
