Following a 3-2 defeat to Toronto FC on Sunday, the Galaxy will look to get back in the win column this Saturday when they host the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a special Galaxy hat. If you can't make it out to Carson for the game, fans can watch live on FSN West, starting with Galaxy Live at 6:45 p.m., or listen to the game on KTLK 1150 AM or ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM.
Galaxy Injury Report
OUT - Charles Alamo (R-Knee Surgery), Ante Jazic (R-Ankle Surgery); Carlos Ruiz (R-Knee)
DOUBTFUL - None
QUESTIONABLE - None
PROBABLE - None
Jazic is increasing his conditioning work this week while also transitioning into some workouts with the team. On Sunday, Ruiz followed up with Dr. Bert Mandelbaum and received a strong progress report and remains on schedule as far as his recovery. He will begin to do some forward jogging out on the field this week while also keeping his fitness up on the stationary bike and in the pool, where he will be joined by Charles Alamo, whose rehab also remains on schedule.
The Week That Was...
LA Galaxy
Sunday, April 13; Galaxy 2 - Toronto FC 3
A pair of Landon Donovan goals were not enough as the Galaxy fell to Toronto FC 3-2 last weekend at The Home Depot Center. Jeff Cunningham scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute, dropping the Galaxy's record to 1-2-0 on the season for three points, leaving them in fifth place in the Western Conference.
LA Galaxy Reserves
The Galaxy reserves did not play this weekend and will be back in action on Sunday, April 20 when they take on Houston. This is the first Reserve Division game of the year for Houston while the Galaxy have a record of 0-1-1.
Galaxy In The Community
Players: Mike Randolph, Ely Allen, Sean Franklin, Brandon McDonald and Michael Gavin
What: Players will help the coaches from La Verne Lazers with a series of drills and exercises while also signing autographs.
When: Tuesday, April 15; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Where: Bonita High School; 3102 D Street; La Verne, Calif.
Players: Bryan Jordan, Israel Sesay, Josh Tudela, Julian Valentin and Josh Wicks
What: Players will conduct a soccer clinic and sign autographs for the Conservation Corps of Long Beach
When: Tuesday, April 15; 5:15-6:45 p.m.
Where: Lindbergh Middle School 1022 East Market Street; Long Beach
Players: Edson Buddle, Steve Cronin, Alan Gordon, Troy Roberts and Greg Vanney
What: Players will conduct a soccer clinic and sign autographs for the LA Wings Japanese Youth Soccer Club Clinic
When: Tuesday, April 15; 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: The Home Depot Center - Field #5; Carson, Calif.
Players: Ely Allen and Sean Franklin
What: Players will meet fans, sign autographs and take photos
When: Thursday, April 17; 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Hoover Middle School; 3501 Country Club Drive; Long Beach, Calif.
Players: Charles Alamo and Troy Roberts
What: Players will meet fans, sign autographs and take photos
When: Thursday, April 17; 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Lindsey Academy; 5075 Daisy Avenue; Long Beach, Calif.
Players: Steve Cronin and Sean Franklin
What: Players will meet fans and sign autographs
When: Sunday, April 20; 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: Pierce College; 6200 Winnetka Ave; Woodland Hills, Calif.
Galaxy Team Notes
DONOVAN IS TIED AT THE TOP: Following his two goal performance against Toronto FC on Sunday, Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is now tied for the MLS lead with three goals. Donovan and Kenny Cooper of FC Dallas have each scored three times in three games for their clubs this season, leaving them one goal ahead of a group of eight players that have two goals on the season.
Donovan now has 35 goals in 74 career regular season games, leaving him tied with Mauricio Cienfuegos for third place all-time in goals for the club.
BRAVO RETURNS: Galaxy Director of Soccer Paul Bravo is back in Southern California following a ten day trip to South America. Bravo traveled to Brazil following the Galaxy's 2-0 win over San Jose in the home opener and watched a number of players there while also visiting with a series of clubs, including Serie A sides Gremio and Internacional, as well as fellow Sao Paulo club, Juventude of Serie B, during his time there.
TRIAL EXTENDED FOR THREE CUBANS: Former Cuban Under-23 National Team players Yordany Alvarez, Yenier Bermudez and Jose Manuel Miranda, will continue to train with the Galaxy through the end of this week at least. The trio began training with the club last week after arriving from Miami on Monday morning and impressed the coaching staff enough to all be invited back for a second week of training.
LOOKING AT THE OPPOSITION: The Dynamo head into Saturday's match at The Home Depot Center in sixth place in the Western Conference with two points from a 0-1-2 record, one point behind the Galaxy. Following a season opening loss at New England, the Dynamo have earned ties in their last two games, included a scoreless draw against Kansas City last weekend. Geoff Cameron and Franco Caraccio lead the team in scoring with one goal each.
Last year, the two sides played three times, splitting the series with each claiming a 1-1-1 mark on the season.
This is what Mike Randolph had to say about the Dynamo...
"They are a strong team; they've shown that the past few years. De Rosario is always a handful. If we can shut him down, the rest of the team will kind of slow down as well. He's definitely one of the players you have to look out for. They work well together, so they are going to be a tough team to beat, but I think we are up for the challenge."
GALAXY CLASICO TO KICK OFF APRIL 26: The fourth annual Galaxy Clásico Soccer Tournament will be held on April 26 and 27 at the San Bernardino Soccer Complex. The Clásico, one of Southern California's top adult soccer tournaments, will feature the prestigious Men's Open division, while also attracting friendly competition in the Men's Over 30 and Over 40 divisions. Each team will be guaranteed three games of play in the tournament on professionally maintained fields. There will be cash prizes in the Men's Open division, team trophies and sponsor giveaways.
For more information about this tournament and a complete schedule of matches, please contact Blane Shepard by phone at (310) 630-2227 or email bshepard@lagaalxy.com.
COPA LA RETURNS: Registration is now open for the seventh annual Copa LA, which will be held on May 24-26 at the San Bernardino Soccer Complex. Team in all age brackets from U9-U19 (boys) and U15-U19 (girls) can register now for what is annually one of the top youth soccer tournaments in Southern California. Registration is open now at www.lagalaxy.com costs just $250 per teams and all participants receive ticket deals for future Galaxy games and the chance to play against some of the top teams in this region, as well as the opportunity to play in front of Galaxy scouts and select members of the current Galaxy team. For more information about this tournament or how to register, please contact Blane Shepard by phone at (310) 630-2227 or email bshepard@lagaalxy.com.
PURO GALAXY HITS ESPN DEPORTES RADIO: ESPN Deportes Radio KWKW 1330 AM, the Galaxy's official Spanish language radio partner, is the place for all of your Galaxy news and information. The best place to get that information is on Puro Galaxy, the network's weekly, hour-long show that can tell you all you need to know and more about the Galaxy, airs every Saturday from 2-3 p.m., just in time to get you ready for the Galaxy's game on the weekend.
Rolando Gonzalez, who serves as the play-by-play voice of the Galaxy on broadcasts on KWKW, is the host of Puro Galaxy, and he will be joined by his fellow broadcasters and a series of special guests. So tune in each and every week and stay up to date with everything that is going on in the Galaxy.
DON'T MISS GALAXY DEPORTIVO EVERY WEEKEND: Galaxy Deportivo, the Galaxy's official weekly half hour show, is back for another year and can now be seen every weekend on two different stations. The show will first air on KWHY-22 every Saturday night at 6 p.m. with a series of features and interviews that provide insight into the weekend's game. Then on Sunday morning, Galaxy Deportivo will air again, this time on Telemundo-52 with the same in depth access, as well as highlights from Saturday night's match.
For the third straight year, Alejandro Navarro and Elmer Polanco will serve as hosts for the show, giving viewers an unprecedented level of access and insight to the 2008 Galaxy team.
