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Union trade Gabriel Farfan to Chivas USA

A day before facing the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Union traded midfielder-defender Gabriel Farfan on Tuesday to Chivas USA for allocation money and a 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft first-round pick.

The Union have traded versatile defender/midfielder Gabriel Farfan (left) to Chivas USA. (Michael Dwyer/AP file photo)
The Union have traded versatile defender/midfielder Gabriel Farfan (left) to Chivas USA. (Michael Dwyer/AP file photo)Read more

A day before facing the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Union traded midfielder-defender Gabriel Farfan on Tuesday to Chivas USA for allocation money and a 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft first-round pick.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Farfan had started three games and appeared in six this season. He played the entire game at outside back in Saturday's 1-0 victory over the host Chicago Fire, filling in for Sheanon Williams, who missed the game due to suspension.

The twin brother of Union midfielder Michael Farfan, the 24-year-old signed with the club in 2011 and appeared in 51 games, making 43 starts in three seasons, scoring one goal and adding three assists.

As for the Galaxy, they are to MLS what the Miami Heat are to the NBA: one of the marquee attractions and dominant teams.

That is why when the Galaxy visit the Union in Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. matchup at PPL Park in Chester, it will have much more than the regular-season, mid-week game feel.

"We obviously want to get a win and it would be kind of a statement for us especially knowing it is the L.A. Galaxy and everybody will be watching," said Union forward Jack McInerney, who leads MLS with seven goals.

With David Beckham having departed Los Angeles for French league champions Paris Saint-Germain after last season, some of the luster has been taken off the Galaxy, who are fourth in MLS in road attendance, averaging 19,369. (The Union have drawn an average of 14,029 in six road games.)

The Union (4-3-3) are facing the Galaxy (4-3-2) at an opportune time. Los Angeles has lost two in a row following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Vancouver.

The Galaxy present a premier MLS attraction in Landon Donovan, among the top American players.

Donovan took an extended leave of absence after the Galaxy's 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup title game on Dec. 1. He returned to the team in late March, missing the first three regular season games. In five games, he has one goal and one assist.

So there is plenty of anticipation for Los Angeles' only game of the season against the Union.

"Anytime you are facing Landon Donovan and company it is a huge honor," said team manager John Hackworth, "and these are the kind of games players look forward to."

Los Angeles Galaxy at Union

Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., PPL Park, Chester.

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Records: Galaxy, 4-3-2; Union 4-3-3

Galaxy on the road: 1-2-1; Union at home: 1-1-2

Goals for: Galaxy 13; Union, 13.

Goals against: Galaxy, 8; Union, 14.

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