Harden to return to MLS after season away

By Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com

Ty Harden is set to return to Major League Soccer action after a year away to pursue philanthropic work.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy 23rd overall in the 2007 draft and impressed as a rookie defender that season. However, prior to the 2008 season, Harden retired to pursue philanthropic work.

Last week, the Colorado Rapids traded a third round draft pick to the Galaxy for the rights to Harden, fueling talk that the 24-year-old may be returning in 2009. According to soccernet.com, that appears to be the case.

"He's coming back, and we're excited to have him," said Rapids technical director Paul Bravo, who also left the Galaxy to join the Rapids this offseason. "To get a proven player like that for a third-rounder, we believe, is great deal for us. He'll make us better in the back right away."

Galaxy eventually traded away the third round draft pick, along with Ante Jazic and a fourth round pick, to Chivas USA for a second round pick. They used that slot to select AJ DeLaGarza, a defender from the University of Maryland.