Galaxy acquire Kovalenko

January 20, 1:48 PMLA Soccer ExaminerRobert Spuhler

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Midfielder Dema Kovalenko is coming to Los Angeles as part of a deal between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, the team announced today.

Kovalenko, who is a former MLS Cup champion, joins the Galaxy in exchange for allocation money and a conditional draft choice in 2011.

The move is yet another in a series designed to shore up the Galaxy midfield and give the team some bite behind midfielder David Beckham. Kovalenko does just that; he's a ballwinner that also has some skill moving forward, and he's been a favorite of head coach Bruce Arena, who acquired Kovalenko when Arena was the head coach of the New York Red Bulls. Kovalenko has also played for the Chicago Fire and DC United, where he won MLS Cup in 2004 - ironically enough, at the Home Depot Center. He was thrown out of the cup final after stopping a clear goal with his arm.

This offseason, the Galaxy has already acquired Leonard Griffin to add depth in the midfield, and Stefani Miglioranzi also plays in the center of the park.