CARSON, Calif. – Omar Gonzalez eagerly anticipated the US national team's trip this week to Europe ahead of games against the Netherlands and Germany, but when Jurgen Klinsmann's roster was finalized, his name had disappeared.
Consider it the US coach's gift to the LA Galaxy, whose season-long injury crisis has greatly impacted their backline in the past month.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, who guided the national team from 1998 through the 2006 World Cup, asked for whatever help might be available ahead of Saturday's home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN2 in Canada), and Klinsmann was willing to work with him.
“Basically because of a shortage of players, they understood it would be difficult for us to let a defender go because we've had about three defenders the last couple of games ...,” Arena said. “We couldn't afford to let a defender go right now.”
Gonzalez was ready to go.
“One day I was on the roster, and I was going to those friendlies in Europe, and the next day I find out I'm off the roster because we're so shorthanded on the backline,” the big center back said. “Definitely understand the situation. I was excited to go play in those games, but I didn't dwell on [the decision to leave me home] too much because I wanted to make sure to be mentally right for the Galaxy. I understand the situation, and I moved on.”
Forward/winger Gyasi Zardes, however, is with the US for their upcoming friendlies Friday against the Dutch (3 pm ET; ESPN2) and Wednesday against the Germans (2:45 pm ET; Fox Sports 1). LA also are shorthanded up front, after Jose Villarreal's shoulder injury in last weekend's draw at New England, but there was never a conversation with Klinsmann about leaving Zardes home.
“I didn't ask him about Gyasi, but having said that, after Sunday's game, we might have been able to make the same request but didn't,” Arena said. “Jurgen's been very good in a difficult time. ... We're trying to support each other.”
Arena said he expects Gonzalez to be on the US roster for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, and Gonzalez said he's “sure that I'll be there.”
Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo is with Panama's national team for the home-and-home series with Ecuador that began Wednesday, forward Bradford Jamieson is at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Tab Ramos' US squad, and Robbie Keane, coming off a groin injury, leaves after Saturday's game at StubHub Center to join Ireland's national team for the June 13 European Championship qualifier against Scotland.
Arena was asked if he's concerned about Keane heading off following Saturday night's game at StubHub Center when he's yet to play more than a half after he was sidelined for seven weeks.
“Not worried about that at this point,” he said. “Not even spending any time on that, to be honest with you.”
Keane, who Saturday could make his first start since early April, says he's going.
“As long as I keep progressing at the rate the [training-staff] guys are telling me,” he said. “Once I do that, I'll be fine just sticking to the schedule. ... I'll be gone [for the game against Scotland].”
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Penedo was released for the Ecuador games, Arena said, with the caveat that he would remain with the Galaxy in mid-June, when the Canaleros will be beginning preparations for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Defender A.J. DeLaGarza, meanwhile, wants to head to Guam for their World Cup qualifiers next Thursday against Turkmenistan and June 16 against India. He's missed the last three games with foot and groin injuries that have slowed him most of the season, but says he's now healthier than he's been all year.
“This is kind of why I went and devoted my time to Guam, to play in these World Cup qualifiers,” he said. “I think it's important for myself and the country to have me there. The guys don't need me, obviously, but I bring a lot of leadership and experience, and if I'm healthy enough, I think I want to be there.”
