Weekly update: Three games on tap

CARSON, Calif. - The Los Angeles Galaxy are back in training this week and will hold training sessions on Wednesday and Friday, in addition to playing preseason games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. All games and training sessions are open to the media.

Last week, the Galaxy played one match, tying the New York Red Bulls 0-0 on Saturday, with goalkeeper Steve Cronin collecting his third shutout in as many matches this preseason. With the draw, the Galaxy's preseason record now stands at 3-1-1.

Galaxy Weekly Training Schedule (All times Pacific)

Date: Time/Location
Tuesday, Mar.6: 10 a.m. - Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire (Univ. Field #2)
Wednesday, Mar. 7: 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy training (Training Field #6)
Thursday, Mar. 8: 10 a.m. - Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo (Training Field #6)
Friday, Mar. 9: 10:30 a.m. - Galaxy training (Training Field #6)
Saturday, Mar. 10: 6 p.m. - Galaxy at Fresno Fuego in Fresno, Calif. (Chukchansi Park)
Sunday, Mar. 11: DAY OFF

FIVE PLAYERS LET GO: The Galaxy have elected not to offer contracts to four draft picks, making them eligible to seek contracts from other clubs, though the Galaxy retain their MLS rights. Defender Bobby Burling, formerly of Loyola Marymount and the Galaxy's fourth round selection in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, was not offered a contract, nor were Supplemental Draft selections Zach Kirby, Gordon Kljestan and Kiel McClung. Additionally, the Galaxy has chosen not to offer a contract to French trialist Laurent Merlin. Merlin is now free to sign with any other club.

FOUR NEW FACES IN TOWN: Despite the aforementioned five players being let go, four trialists remain in camp with the Galaxy. Of the four new faces, two have MLS experience. Defender Ritchie Kotschau (formerly of Chicago Fire, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew) and midfielder John Thorrington (Chicago Fire) are all still in training with the club, as are midfielders Darren Currie and Kevin Harmse. Currie arrived in Los Angeles late last week from England where he was playing with Ipswich Town of the Coca-Cola Championship, while Harmse, a member of the Canadian National Team player pool, has been with the club since the start of the preseason, appearing in three of the Galaxy's five preseason matches.

TWO GAMES AGAINST MLS OPPOSITION COMING UP: The Galaxy will play a pair of preseason matches this week at The Home Depot Center. The club continues preparations for the 2007 MLS season by hosting the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. These matches, which are the final home preseason games against MLS opposition, are each open to the public.

GALAXY HEAD NORTH TO TAKE ON THE FUEGO: Following the games against Chicago and Houston, the Galaxy will head north to Central California for a game against the Fresno Fuego on Saturday at 6 p.m. This is the third time in the last four years in which the Galaxy and Fuego have met in the preseason, with the Galaxy coming out victorious in each of the previous two encounters, winning 1-0 in 2004 and 3-0 last season. Tickets for this game are now available by calling (559) 320-TIXS or online at www.tickets.com.

FAN FEST RETURNS ON APRIL 1: The Galaxy will host their annual Fan Fest on Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. This event, which is free to all fans, will feature raffles, interactive booths and family-friendly entertainment, as well as the chance to tour the Galaxy locker room, watch the team's training session on the stadium field and get autographs following training. For more information about this event, please call 1-877-3GALAXY.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2007 PRESEASON SCHEDULE