[MLS] New Zealanders midfielder Simon Elliott and defender Andrew Boyens have made the rounds in MLS but not until Wednesday had they been on the same team. Chivas USA has signed the duo after head coach Robin Fraser and his staff watched them in training and scrimmages. Elliott, 36, and Boyens, 27, were both members of the New Zealand's 2010 World Cup squad that tied all three of its matches.

Both veterans played Monday in a 105-minute scrimmage against San Jose that Chivas USA won, 1-0. Elliott will give the team some experience in what was a disjointed midfield much of last season; Boyens adds depth at centerback behind projected starters Jimmy Conrad and Michael Umana.

“These signings give us depth and experience in the middle of the field,” said Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser in a press release. “I have known Simon for a long time; he’ll be able to help us both on and off the field, and we saw in the World Cup last summer what he’s capable of. Andrew is a solid central defender with international experience who will be a good addition to our back line.”

Elliott is coming back to MLS for the second time after playing the final portion of the 2010 Australian League season with Wellington Phoenix. He started his MLS career in 1999 with the Galaxy, for which he played five seasons prior to playing with the Crew, and Fraser, for the next two years. He left MLS after the 2005 season to play sporadically during three English Premier League seasons with Fulham, and came back to MLS in 2009 to play a season in San Jose, which released before the 2010 campaign began.

Boyens started his MLS career in 2007 and played two seasons for Toronto FC before moving on to New York, for which he played the past three years. The Red Bulls released him during the winter.

MLS is awaiting delivery of their international transfer certificates to officially add them to the Galaxy roster, at which point they will be eligible
to play against MLS teams in preseason play. Chivas USA travels on Friday to Casa Grande, Ariz., for a week of training and matches.