Recently acquired LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz will remain in Los Angeles to prepare for the club's preseason training and to continue to rehabilitate his right knee which underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in November to clean up his lateral meniscus. Therefore Ruiz, who was acquired by the Galaxy on January 15, was not part of Guatemalan National Team head coach Hernán Darío Gómez's 35-man roster which reported for training camp on Monday in Guatemala.
"Carlos is coming off a period of inactivity that included arthroscopic knee surgery. To jump right back into international competition would be irresponsible and counter-productive," said Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "We want Carlos to progress through a proper preseason so that he is ready for the start of the MLS season and World Cup qualifying with Guatemala later in the year."
Ruiz initially began to feel discomfort in his right knee in September while with his former team, FC Dallas, following a U.S. Open Cup Semifinal win in Seattle. An MRI after that game revealed loose fragments in his knee, but no extensive damage. The 28-year old missed one game as a result of the injury but did not miss any more time for the rest of the regular season and postseason as a result of it.
"We had a chance to examine Carlos on Friday and upon our examination, we did not feel that his knee has progressed to the stage of being ready for the rigors of international competition quite yet," said Galaxy club doctor Dr. Bert Mandelbaum. "We now have a plan of systematic progression in place for Carlos and with this we expect him to be ready for the upcoming season."
Guatemala will train in Guatemala City until February 4 at which point they will travel to Los Angeles for their friendly against Argentina at the L.A. Coliseum on Wednesday, February 6.
The Galaxy will begin preseason training, their first under new head coach Ruud Gullit, next week at The Home Depot Center. In mid-February, the Galaxy will head west to Hawaii to take part in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship followed by the recently announce Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife.
The club opens their 13th season of play on Saturday, March 29 against the Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. (PT), live on Fox Soccer Channel from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. LA will play their home opener five days later on Thursday, April 3 when they host former head coach Frank Yallop and the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.
The 2008 MLS season is just around the corner and the LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2008 season. A non-refundable deposit secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy season seats.
