CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy know that World Cup qualifying will keep Robbie Keane and Jaime Penedo from playing in Wednesday's vital clash with the Montreal Impact at the StubHub Center (10:30 pm ET, MLS Live), but they're not entirely sure who else will be missing.
Landon Donovan returned to Southern California from the US' World Cup qualifier last Friday still bothered by the left ankle he sprained a month ago, and he worked inside Monday at StubHub before heading to a doctor's appointment.
Omar Gonzalez, who missed the victory over Jamaica after tweaking a longstanding adductor injury in LA's rout over Chivas USA eight days ago, trained off to the side with strength and conditioning coach Ben Yauss during the portion of Monday's session viewed by media. Gonzalez, who has been dealing with the injury all season, spent the past week resting and says he hopes he can be available.
“I think I might be ready for Wednesday, but let's see what my body says and lets sit down again and talk with the coaches and physios and see what they have to say ...,” the big central defender told reporters. “I want to be in every game I'm available for. If I can play in Wednesday's game, then I want to play. But if not, then we have to reassess and see if I can go for Sunday [at StubHub against San Jose].”
“We haven't finalized anything with either player yet ...,” head coach Bruce Arena told reporters after practice. “We're hopeful that they're available on Wednesday.”
Juninho expects to return from an adductor injury that kept him out of the Chivas game, and Leonardo appears ready to go after 45 minutes in the Reserve League victory over the Goats a week ago.
Robbie Rogers, who played 85 minutes in the Reserve League win, thinks he could contribute on Wednesday, and A.J. DeLaGarza, out since dislocating his left elbow a month ago, says he “would like to play, if I can.”
The Galaxy (14-11-6) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Earthquakes or a win over Montreal and draw with San Jose.
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Juninho has trained fully in three sessions and says his “fitness is not yet 100 percent” but is getting better and he's ready to play. Rogers' only issues are fitness-related, too.
“I don't feel fit,” he said, “but I feel strong and my hamstring feels good, so no injuries or anything.”
DeLaGarza, who figures to wear a brace on his elbow for protection the remainder of the season, is itching to get back on the field. He missed the stretch run and playoffs last year with a knee injury.
“We'll see if I can [play]. I hope so, we'll see what happens,” he said. “If not, I'll be ready for the next two games and going into the playoffs.”
