CARSON, Calif.– The LA Galaxy today announced their complete schedule and roster for the 2011 preseason, which officially began yesterday at The Home Depot Center. The club has scheduled a total of five games against MLS opponents, with three of those to be played in Arizona, where the Galaxy will train from February 14-22.
The Galaxy will play a pair of preseason games against the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps FC while in Arizona while also facing the reigning MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids during their stay there. The club will play against the expansion Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes at The Home Depot Center prior to travelling to Arizona. Further games will be added to the schedule at later dates.
Of the 26 players on the club’s initial preseason roster, 23 joined the club for the first day of fitness training this morning at The Home Depot Center. Juan Pablo Angel, who officially signed with the Galaxy last week will join the club at the start of next week, while David Beckham will join the club next month after completing his training stint with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who is in his second season with the Galaxy, will also arrive in Los Angeles at the start of next week after spending the offseason in his home country.
Seven players who were with the Galaxy at the end of the 2010 MLS season are no longer with the club. Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis each retired, Edson Buddle signed with FC Ingolstadt of the German 2. Bundesliga, Tristan Bowen was traded to Chivas USA, while Alex Cazumba, Dema Kovalenko and Yohance Marshall did not have their options picked up. Additionally, Zach Johnson, the club’s third round pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, has elected to pursue other professional opportunities and will not join the club.
In addition to the 17 players who remain with the club from a year ago, the Galaxy have added nine players to their roster ahead of the start of this season. Juan Pablo Angel and Frankie Hejduk were each acquired in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Process, Chad Barrett and Adam Cristman were added through trades earlier this month. Paolo Cardozo and Hector Jimenez were each selected by the club in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft while Daniel Keat, Dustin McCarty and Ryan Thomas were each added a few days later in the MLS Supplemental Draft.
LA Galaxy Preseason Roster – as of January 25, 2011
GOALKEEPERS (3) – Brian Perk, Donovan Ricketts, Josh Saunders
DEFENDERS (8) – Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Frankie Hejduk, Leonardo, Ryan Thomas
MIDFIELDERS (11) – David Beckham, Chris Birchall, Paolo Cardozo, Landon Donovan, Hector Jimenez, Bryan Jordan, Juninho, Daniel Keat, Jovan Kirovski, Dustin McCarty, Michael Stephens
FORWARDS (4) – Juan Pablo Angel, Chad Barrett, Adam Cristman, Mike Magee
HEAD COACH – Bruce Arena
LA Galaxy Preseason Schedule – as of January 25, 2011
January 24-February 12 Training at The Home Depot Center
February 8 Preseason game vs. Portland Timbers
February 10 Preseason game vs. San Jose Earthquakes
February 13 Depart for Arizona
February 14-22 Training in Arizona
February 16 Preseason game vs. Colorado Rapids
February 20 Preseason game vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
February 22 Preseason game vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
February 23 Return to Los Angeles
February 24-March 14 Training at The Home Depot Center
March 15 LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC – MLS First Kick
The Galaxy will open the 2011 MLS season on Tuesday, March 15 when they head to Seattle to take on the Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field in MLS First Kick 2011, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. That game, which will kick off at 6:30 p.m., will be shown live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as online at ESPN3.com. The Galaxy will then host the New England Revolution in their home opener at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at The Home Depot Center. Tickets are available for that match through the Galaxy Kickoff Pack, which includes four tickets and two Galaxy blankets, starting at $96. BUY NOW
