The Los Angeles Galaxy have decided to part ways with forward Nate Jaqua, agreeing to ship him to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for defender Kelly Gray and a second round 2008 SuperDraft pick.

The deal, which is expected to be made official by the league on Tuesday, makes sense on paper as the Galaxy are desperate to find solid defensive help. Because of injuries, trades and national team call-ups, the Los Angeles backline has been a patchwork of 10 different players fielded in defense through the first three months of the 2007 season.

It also marks the end of a frustrating stay in the City of Angels for Jaqua. With many having high expectations for the 25-year old at the start of the season, disappointment set in after he found the back of the net just once through the Galaxy's first 10 league games.

The 26-year old Gray, meanwhile, is a former Chicago teammate of Jaqua's who will also be joining his fourth MLS team. The versatile Dynamo part-timer is no stranger to winning, having taken part in the team's 2006 title run as wel as going 90 minutes in the Fire's 2003 US Open Cup final triumph.