Chivas USA drafts Jimmy Conrad; Galaxy selects Juan Pablo Angel in MLS re-entry draft

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Two veteran players, operating at opposite ends of the field, were the respective targets of Chivas USA and the Galaxy on Wednesday as both teams made selections in Major League Soccer’s re-entry draft.

Chivas USA, still without a coach after Martin Vasquez was released in late October, chose U.S. World Cup defender Jimmy Conrad with the second pick in the draft. Conrad, 33, is a 12-year MLS veteran who has played for the San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards.

The Galaxy opted for a striker, trading a future draft pick to the Houston Dynamo in order to get the fourth selection in the re-entry draft. They used the pick to acquire 35-year-old Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel, who was released by the New York Red Bulls after scoring 61 goals in four MLS seasons.

Chivas USA and the Galaxy only acquired the rights to the two players and will have to negotiate with both in order to sign them.

Conrad, a former San Diego State and UCLA player from Arcadia, has appeared in 288 MLS games, scoring 19 goals and assisting on 10 others. He is a five-time MLS all-star and was the league’s defender of the year in 2005.

A member of the U.S. team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he made 28 appearances for the national team.

For more on the draft and on Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena’s comments on Angel, please see www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/ later Wednesday.

-- Grahame L. Jones