The Galaxy had to do some chest thumping with LAFC coming around...that team is going to throw down bank...and they've done what they had to do to not just instill loyalty amongst the fan base, but to grab as many fans as possible. dos Santos is a big get as it will sway some of the miniscule Chivas fan base (and a much, much larger section of previously non-MLS following Mexican fans). The Red Bulls needed to do the same thing with NYCFC coming...but that was never going to happen with their ownership group. The Galaxy are owned by the guy who is the namesake of the friggin' championship trophy...say what you will about Anschutz in all of his endeavors, he's the single biggest reason the MLS is where it is today and continues to grow...there was no way he was going to sit idly by and let an upstart franchise still nearly 2 1/2 years away from playing a game steal the headlines. I just wish more "owners" had the same passion as Anschutz does...the Kraft family played a huge role in the founding of the MLS and has proceeded to essentially ignore the Revs existence ever since.
Villarreal may be ready to start in this league, just not on a team like the Galaxy. If he were on Colorado, most definitely, that's why I want him loaned out. He's too good for Los Dos and wouldn't gain anything there.
I'd be upset if he were being replaced by older journeymen, but he's being pushed out by a 26 year-old and a 22 year-old. It's hard to picture where he's going to fit in moving forward and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he's on the move in the off-season.
At least he should still get playing time if he sticks with the Galaxy this season, since he can play forward as well. International dates mean you have to have depth. We're at the point where the MLS really needs to fix the schedule...but that comes with so many hurdles thanks to weather in parts of the country...you just can't play games in Colorado, Utah, Foxboro, etc. in February.
