Perry Kitchen returns to MLS with the Galaxy after two seasons in Europe
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jan 9, 2018
Photo courtesy of LA Galaxy.
The LA Galaxy acquired the rights to Kitchen by trading $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money to D.C. United. Since United made him a contract offer when he
left as a free agent, it held his MLS rights.
“Perry has proven himself to be a top midfielder in Major League Soccer during his time with D.C. United,” said LA Galaxy head
coach Sigi Schmid. “He has continued to progress during his time in Europe and we are confident he can bolster our midfield. At only 25 years old, Perry is already an MLS veteran and will
be a great addition to the LA Galaxy on and off the field.”
Kitchen exited Hearts last summer when it became clear he didn't have a future at Tynecastle Park, but he only stayed
half a season at Danish Superligaen club Randers FC.
Kitchen joined a small group of Americans who have captained European clubs: Claudio Reyna at Wolfsburg, Kasey Keller at
Borussia Moenchengladbach, Brian McBride at Fulham, Gregg Berhalter at Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich and perhaps most notably, Steve Cherundolo for four seasons at Hannover
96.
His fortunes changed following a change of managers: Robbie Neilson left the Jambos for English club MK Dons in December 2016 and was replaced by Ian Cathro.
The writing was on the wall for Kitchen when Cathro announced that new signing Christophe Berra would replace Kitchen as captain for the 2017-18 season. (Cathro himself left Hearts shortly
after Kitchen did as he was fired.)
Kitchen signed a two-year contract with Randers for which he played nine games in the fall.
He will play a key part of the Galaxy's
rebuilding effort, joining Jonathan dos Santos and Joao Pedro in midfield.
Scottish soccer has become a joke as compared to what Scotland represented in the 60's and 70's. Scottish soccer has gone down to the level pub team soccer. When you can't make it there and you were no great shakes in a Danish league, no one pays attention too, than returning from a less than successful tour of European soccer experience to play in the MLS...has to make you wonder........
Frank, you are ignoring that Perry was the Hearts captain until stripped by a new coach who was then himself fired. So I wouldn't say Perry couldn't make it in Scotland. Your point about the quality of soccer in Scotland and the rivalry between the top teams explains why Perry couldn't comfortably play for another Scotish team.
He is only 25, and we will see how he and LA does this year.
Bob, no agent in his right mind would send his player to play in Scotland, period. It is a complete wasteland, there. And as far as soccer goes, it's an embarrassment to even calling it soccer. I find it unbelievable when you look back to all the great teams and stars,especially wingers, Scotland at one time produced. I remember when every English team, to be a good soccer team had to have at least one or two Scottish players for they set the tone. I'm at a complete loss as to what ever happened to Scotland....it is an absolute shame.
A Sottish friend of mine (generation younger) told me that the more promising young players go to England or here to universities. The domestic league there has become so uninteresting, that it has even reduced significantly the street level play of youth. The revenue available for soccer there has steadily declined. Sad.