The Los Angeles Galaxy have declined to exercise an option on Chris Birchall, leaving the hard-working Trinidad and Tobago national team midfielder a free agent just a few weeks before the start of the MLS season.
Birchall, 27, announced the move Monday morning on Twitter, writing, “Disappointed to say that I will not be returning to LA Galaxy, I would like to thank everyone for a Superb 3 years, fans exceptional!! Thank you!”
Birchall joined L.A. in 2009 after spending the vast majority of his career in England’s second and third divisions. He played in 66 regular-season and playoff matches for the Galaxy and appeared in all four games of the 2011 playoffs, which concluded with L.A.’s third MLS Cup title. Birchall played the last 33 minutes of the 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in November’s final.
The move surely is a cost-cutting one for the Galaxy. Birchall was paid $157,125 last season, and last week’s signing of U.S. national team forward Edson Buddle likely necessitated the clearing of additional salary cap room. L.A. has added cheaper depth during the offseason and just acquired midfielder Kyle Nakazawa from the Philadelphia Union.
Birchall has played 39 times for Trinidad, including all three games at the 2006 World Cup. He is an Englishman and is eligible to play for T&T because his mother was born in Port of Spain.