CARSON, Calif. - After playing a pair of postseason friendlies in Vancouver and Minneapolis last week, the Galaxy are back in LA this week for a pair of training sessions at The Home Depot Center. The club will begin preparations for their two-game tour of Australia and New Zealand on Thursday and then return to practice on Friday ahead of their games against Sydney FC and the Wellington Phoenix. The club will practice twice more at the start of the week before enjoying a short Thanksgiving break and traveling to Australia on November 23.
| Galaxy Training Schedule (All times Pacific) | |
| Date | Time/Location |
| Tuesday, Nov. 13 | DAY OFF |
| Wednesday, Nov. 14 | DAY OFF |
| Thursday, Nov. 15 | 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy Training (University Field #1) |
| Training is open to the media starting at 10:45 a.m. | |
| Friday, Nov. 16 | 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy Training (University Field #1) |
| Training is open to the media starting at 10:45 a.m. | |
| Saturday, Nov. 17 | DAY OFF |
| Sunday, Nov. 18 | DAY OFF |
| Monday, Nov. 19 | 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy Training (University Field #1) |
| Training is open to the media starting at 10:45 a.m. | |
| Tuesday, Nov. 20 | 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy Training (University Field #1) |
| Training is open to the media starting at 10:45 a.m. | |
Galaxy Team Notes
GALAXY KICK OFF POSTSEASON SCHEDULE: The Galaxy had a pair of friendlies last week, traveling to Vancouver and Minneapolis to take on a pair of USL First Division foes. First, in front of more than 48,000 fans at BC Place Stadium, the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps battled to a 0-0 draw, with Joe Cannon providing the game's brightest highlight, saving a first half penalty from Vancouver's Eduardo Sebrango.
LA was back in action on Sunday when they claimed the inaugural Copa Minnesota, defeating the Minnesota Thunder 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation. Edson Buddle scored the Galaxy's only goal, getting on the end of a David Beckham to put his team ahead after just eight minutes, while guest player Sebastian LeToux equalized for the Thunder early in the second half. The score remained level until the final whistle, sending the match to penalties to decide the trophy winner. In the shootout, Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin made three saves and Troy Roberts converted the deciding penalty, giving his team a 3-2 win in the shootout, and the inaugural Copa Minnesota.
BECKHAM HEADS TO ENGLAND: Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has joined up with the England National Team this week ahead of their friendly against Austria and their final European Championships qualifier against Croatia. Beckham and his England teammates will first travel to Austria for a friendly on Friday before beginning final preparations for their qualifier against Croatia. England are currently in second place in Group E, three points behind Croatia and two points ahead of Russia, each of whom has a game in hand.
After the game against Croatia, Beckham, who currently has 97 caps leaving him three shy of becoming just the fifth player ever to earn 100 caps for England, will join his Galaxy teammates for the matches in Australia and New Zealand.
DONOVAN REMOVED FROM U.S. SQUAD: On Monday, Galaxy forward Landon Donovan was removed from the U.S. National Team squad that will play in South Africa on Saturday because of a calf strain. Donovan suffered the injury in the Copa Minnesota victory over the Thunder. The 25-year old, who is currently tied with Eric Wynalda for the most goals in National Team history, played 66 minutes in Minnesota before being replaced by Carlos Pavon. The 2007 Honda Player of the Year, Donovan finished the year with nine goals and four assists in 12 games for the U.S.
GALAXY RIOS HOLD FIRST TRAINING SESSIONS: Under the watchful eye of Galaxy assistant coach Trevor James, the Galaxy Rios Under-15 and Under-18 teams held their first training session at The Home Depot Center on Monday night. More than 50 players from various club teams throughout the Southland gathered on Field #5 for the session. Both teams will continue to train throughout the rest of the year and into 2008 at The Home Depot Center while preparing for a series of tournaments, including the 2008 MLS Youth Cup.
SERIE DE CAMPEONES KICKS OFF: The LA Galaxy's new youth tournament, Serie de Campeones, kicked off this past weekend at San Pedro's Field of Dreams, with 56 teams in five different divisions. The local tournament will serve in part to recruit local talent to the club's development player program, Galaxy Rios. The tournament series will hold its first final on Sunday, November 18, with the eventual tournament winner moving on to the series final and having the opportunity to play in front of Galaxy observers.
TWO EPISODES OF GALAXY DEPORTIVO REMAIN: Be sure to catch the next to last episode of Galaxy Deportivo, the Galaxy's official weekly half hour show, this Saturday, Nov. 17 on KWHY Channel 22. Galaxy Deportivo can now be seen at 6:30 p.m. with hosts Elmer Polanco and Alejandro Navarro presenting the latest news surrounding the club with special features and interviews, as well interacting with Galaxy fans throughout the Los Angeles area. The season finale of Galaxy Deportivo will air one week later on Nov. 24, wrapping up the year that was for the Galaxy.
ANNUAL FOUNDATIONS FEAST RETURNS: The Galaxy will hold their fifth annual Foundations' Feast at The Home Depot Center's American Express Stadium Club on Monday Nov. 19. At the Foundations' Feast, which is hosted by the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation and The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation, Galaxy players will serve a Thanksgiving dinner to and visit with local children and families who are in need. For more information about this event, please contact Gloria King at gking@lagalaxy.com or 310-630-2222.
MEDIA PARKING AT TRAINING: All media members are asked to enter through Gate D, off Victoria Blvd., and to park in Lot 17 when attending Galaxy training sessions. Members of the media who park in Lot 6 during training sessions may be ticketed now that school is back in session at California State University - Dominguez Hills.
