Official: Danny Califf Traded To Chivas USA For Michael Lahoud, Allocation Money

The Philadelphia Union have traded Danny Califf to Chivas USA, after Major League Soccer approved a deal that sent the central defender back to Southern California, where he grew up.

The two-time captain headed to Chivas USA in return for Michael Lahoud. Chivas will also send allocation money to Philadelphia in return for the former United States Men's National Team defender.

The versatile midfielder - mostly at left or right midfield in limited action this year - was born in Sierra Leone, but has lived in the United States since he was two-years-old. Lahoud will not take up an international roster spot because of his citizenship status.

Lahoud was drafted ninth overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas. He scored two goals in 62 games in Los Angeles.

The Union had been rumored to be in discussions to trade Califf since May 12, with the Brotherly Game originally reporting at 3:46 p.m. Sunday that the center defender had moved to Chivas.

When a trade didn't occur through Wednesday morning, a source informed the Brotherly Game that back room bickering over the uncompleted had stalled it further. Union head coach Peter Nowak and Chivas head coach Robin Fraser differed in public on if the deal was done and Fraser appeared to be frustrated by Nowak's public announcement of the progression of the trade.

"We listen to inquiries every day, we make inquiries every day," Fraser said to Scott French of ESPN Los Angeles. "It's part of the job. It happens all the time. ... Not a day goes by when we don't inquiries or make inquiries."

"Let's just say we've made enquiries," Fraser said."...It's all speculation at this point."

Fraser's tone wasn't a happy one when he was forced to answer questions involving the rumored trade offers from his team to the Union.

Califf was listed on the injury report for the Union's game against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, with a hip injury as the reason for why he was included as part of a group of ailing Union players. The source informed the Brotherly Game that Califf was not injured and that his listing as such was a ploy by Nowak and the Union to "keep rumors at a minimum."