Galaxy boost attack ahead of Beckham arrival

LOS ANGELES: Trying to spark their anaemic attack before Real Madrid star David Beckham arrives, the Los Angeles Galaxy obtained US midfielder Chris Klein from Real Salt Lake in a trade deal.

The Galaxy, 2-4 with three drawn and only 11 goals in nine starts, sent forward Robbie Findley and midfielder Nathan Sturgis to winless Real Salt Lake, the only team below the Galaxy among Major League Soccer's 13 clubs.

Klein, who scored 39 goals in seven seasons with Kansas City, and Honduran striker Carlos Pavon, signed by Los Angeles on Wednesday, are lynchpins in Galaxy President Alexi Lalas' plan to strengthen coach Frank Yallop's side.

"Chris is a player that coach Yallop has been interested in for a while," Lalas said.

"We had the opportunity to bring in another veteran player of quality and we jumped at it."

Together with US star Landon Donovan and England superstar Beckham, the newest arrivals will push the salary cap but also give the Galaxy the potential for a stronger scoring punch.

Klein produced eight goals and set up nine others in 43 games for Real Salt Lake over the past 18 months.