MACHON IS JUST THE STAR FOR GALAXY.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo

There has been speculation since former UCLA coach Sigi Schmid became the Galaxy coach April 21 that former midfielder Martin Machon would return to the team.

Machon's contract was loaned to Santos of Mexico for the summer and winter seasons because the Guatemalan couldn't get along with former Galaxy coach Octavio Zambrano. It was a costly move that Major League Soccer didn't want to see.

``We clearly would not have loaned him if Los Angeles had told us that was not their desire,'' said MLS executive vice president Ivan Gazidis. ``If the Galaxy is interested in getting him back, you'd have to ask them. He's on loan with Mexico until the end of the year.''

Galaxy general manager Sergio Del Prado says he has already expressed his interest in re-acquiring the central defensive midfielder.

``We have actually approached the league with that suggestion,'' Del Prado said. ``We hope there is a way to get him back, but we're not optimistic.''

Valda-drama: Those who criticize MLS' single-entity concept must be laughing at the way Commissioner Doug Logan handled Carlos Valderrama's personal dispute with the Miami Fusion.

Fusion coach Ivo Wortman benched the Columbian standout early in the season because he refused to follow game plans. After that, both Wortman and Valderrama agreed that they could not work together.

Miami looked to trade Valderrama and secure the best deal possible for its club, but Logan grew impatient and stepped in.

Since the league owns the players' contracts, Logan simply moved Valderrama to Tampa Bay without compensating Miami.

``It became apparent that there was no possibility of a trade materializing within any reasonable time frame that would be satisfactory both to Miami and another MLS team,'' Logan said. ``I have therefore decided, under the powers vested in me as commissioner of MLS, to reassign the service of Mr. Valderrama from Miami to Tampa Bay.''

Incredible.

Especially since Logan is not in charge of player contracts. One man cannot play general manager for the entire league, especially if he's supposed to be an impartial commissioner.

Rough exchange: Major League Soccer referees have taken a public beating from players, coaches, general managers and the media since the league's inception in 1996.

First, it was American officials who were scorned, prompting MLS to agree to a referee exchange program with foreign FIFA officials two years ago. MLS executives hoped American referees would gain valuable experience in other top leagues around the world.

Now, the foreign refs MLS received in the exchange are also being criticized.

In D.C. United's 3-2 loss to Chicago last week, Scottish referee Stuart Dougal handed out a league-record 10 yellow cards and ejected three players.

It made United general manager Kevin Payne so upset that he lost his cool afterward.

``I generally try to be pretty quiet on the quality of officiating,'' Payne said. ``But I thought what we witnessed out there was an absolute travesty. I don't understand why we need to go 4,000 miles to get a referee that poor. This referee clearly has no respect for our league and he should be sent home. I'll be happy to pay for his flight.''

Those remarks earned Payne a $15,000 fine, the second-largest in the league's four-year history. Only New England midfielder Edwin Gorter has paid more, when he was tagged for $20,000 last season after a racially-charged fight with a teammate.

Payne suggested that foreign officials do not respect the level of MLS play, especially since most are accustomed to officiating in Europe and South America. Those comments upset MLS officials, who responded during a conference call Tuesday.

``A team like D.C. United that goes into the InterAmerca Cup and plays against Vasco de Gama (Brazil) and also games in the CONCACAF club championships brings respect from referees who are doing games in other places,'' said Esse Baharmast, U.S. soccer director of officials. ``Yes, we are not the (German) Bundesliga, but (referees) have respect for the level of play and the technical ability of our players.

``All over the world, there are different kinds of referees. It seems that because Dougal gave a lot of cards that there is some lack of respect. . . . I don't think that's the case. He seems to be very technical and his method of solving problems on the field is a quick card.''

In any case, the exchange program will continue.

CAPTION(S):

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PHOTO ``I don't understand why we need to go 4,000 miles to get a referee that poor. This referee clearly has no respect for our league and he should be sent home. I'll be happy to pay for his flight.''

- D.C. United general manager Kevin Payne

on the performance of Scottish referee Stuart Dougal, costing Payne a $15,000 fine.