Brian Rodriguez eligible for LAFC vs. LA Galaxy

It’s official: Brian Rodriguez’s paperwork came through and he is officially available for Sunday’s Los Angeles Football Club game against the LA Galaxy.

LAFC head coach Bob Bradley confirmed Rodriguez would be eligible for the game in training on Friday.

Rodriguez’s signing was completed earlier this month, as a young Designated Player from Uruguayan giant Peñarol.

Now, the question is whether he’ll actually play a role on Sunday. While it seems very unlikely he’ll start, considering LAFC have been playing well, he could come off the bench to try and get integrated and play a role.

However, there’s another example well out of his control that hovers all over this: Andre Horta’s infamous debut last year for LAFC, against...well, you probably know, the Galaxy. Horta sent a 60-yard backpass that was intercepted and scored on by the Galaxy, turning an LAFC win into a draw. While it wasn’t the sole reason Horta was a bust in MLS, it was not good, and cast a pall over his entire tenure at the club.

So we’ll see. Bradley may opt to integrate Rodriguez faster, if he’s up for it, or he may continue his standard procedure and bring in Rodriguez in three or four games. But, the Uruguayan is available. Fellow new signing Diego Palacios, meanwhile, is not yet eligible for Sunday’s game as he’s still working on his paperwork.

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