CARSON, Calif. - The LA Galaxy today announced their travel roster for the upcoming friendlies in Australia and New Zealand. Nineteen players, including the newly acquired Clint Mathis, but not forward Gavin Glinton who was taken earlier today in the MLS expansion draft, will make the trip to Australia on Friday for next week's games against Sydney FC on November 27 and Wellington Phoenix on December 1.
The game in Australia will be the Galaxy debut of the club's new head coach, Ruud Gullit, who will be assisted by Trevor James and Cobi Jones.
The Galaxy's complete travel squad for these matches is...
Goalkeepers (3): Joe Cannon, Steve Cronin and Lance Friesz.
Defenders (4): Chris Albright, Ante Jazic, Troy Roberts and Kyle Veris.
Midfielders (6): David Beckham, Kevin Harmse, Quavas Kirk, Chris Klein, Josh Tudela and Peter Vagenas.
Forward (6): Edson Buddle, Mike Caso, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon, Clint Mathis and Carlos Pavon.
Of those 19 players, two are unlikely to see any action as Alan Gordon and Quavas Kirk are still not match fit. Earlier this month, Gordon underwent surgery on his left foot to correct lingering problem that plagued him for most of the 2007 season. He will join Kirk, who is rehabbing a case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, in working with the Galaxy medical staff to continue their rehab work.
Defenders Ty Harden and Abel Xavier will not make the trip as a result of injury, nor will midfielder Kyle Martino. Both Harden and Martino underwent a hernia operation in Milwaukee earlier today while Xavier remains in Portugal rehabbing a left knee injury.
Kelly Gray, Mike Randolph and Israel Sesay are all healthy but will not make the trip for various reasons. Gray, who was acquired by the Galaxy in July, is scheduled to be married in Northern California on December 1 and will therefore miss out, while Sesay has already returned to his hometown of Gaithersburg, Md. for the offseason.
Randolph will remain in Los Angeles after having been named to the U.S. Under-23 National Team's provisional roster for their upcoming camp. The U.S. roster is expected to be announced next week and if Randolph is named in the squad, it will be his first career call-up to the National Team at any level.
The Galaxy will return to the U.S. on Monday, December 3 at which point the players will be given some time off.
The LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2008 season. A non-refundable deposit of just $100 per seat secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy season seats.
