Bruce Arena on Galaxy signings: “We’re not done yet”

If you thought that Los Angeles Galaxy manager Bruce Arena was finished signing players for the 2014 MLS season, you’re wrong. After the Galaxy picked University of New Mexico defense Kyle Venter, Arena boldly announced that more signings are to come.

And one reason for that: the trade of Hector Jimenez to the Columbus Crew for allocation money and a roster spot.

“[The trade] gives us a little bit more flexibility in our roster and our salary cap,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com’s Scott French. “And we’re looking to bring in another player, and we had to make a move.”

Earlier this month, Los Angeles signed Brazilian forward Samuel on loan and Canadian international Rob Friend. That came after the club signed Baggio Husidic to a deal in November.

“In the past year, we played a lot of young [forwards] perhaps too many minutes,” Arena said of the past season. “They weren’t ready for it. So now we have some experience on the field, and I think Rob’s going to be able to make us a much better team and help complement Robbie Keane – we don’t have to depend on Robbie for everything – and that will loosen up position play for Landon Donovan a little bit.

“We can move him around in better positions. Hopefully, the acquisition of both Samuel and Friend complement both Keane and Donovan.”

Finally, in Academy news, the Galaxy will be taking part in the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup, and the Gordon Jago Super Group, where they will face the best clubs in the world. The Dallas Cup is one of the most prestigious international youth tournaments in the world, and the Gordon Jago Super Group attracts some of the best academies in the world, like Manchester United, Liverpool, Club America and the Galaxy.

This year, Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup XXXV is being held from April 13-20 in Dallas. The rest of the Gordon Jago Super Group participants, along with exact dates, times and locations of the games, will be announced at a later date.