CARSON, Calif. (Monday, February 13, 2012) – The LA Galaxy enter their fourth and final week of preseason training at The Home Depot Center with the club scheduled to play two more games this week before heading to Arizona next week for the Desert Diamond Cup. The club will face Montreal on Tuesday before playing their final preseason game here in Southern California on Thursday, when they host Chivas USA. In addition to the two games, the club will hold three training sessions before heading to Arizona early next week ahead of the start of the Desert Diamond Cup, which opens on February 22. [PRESEASON SCHEDULE]
TEAM NOTES
THREE RELEASED FROM PRESEASON CAMP: On Monday, the LA Galaxy announced the club cut their preseason roster by three, releasing defender Ryan Thomas and midfielder Dustin McCarty and Stephen Posa from camp. McCarty and Thomas were each selected by the Galaxy in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft and were a part of the team that won MLS Cup a year ago. Thomas played in one regular season game, coming on as a second half substitute in the regular season finale at Houston while also playing in eight Reserve League games, scoring once and adding an assist. McCarty also played in eight Reserve League games, making five starts, though he did not make any first team appearances for the club.
Posa was the club’s first pick in the fourth round of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft out of San Diego University. The midfielder came on as a second half substitute in the preseason games against the L.A. Blues and Houston Dynamo, drawing a penalty that led to the Galaxy’s seventh goal against the Blues on February 3.
The club’s preseason roster now stands at 34 players, with 31 of those currently in camp. Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane are still in England on loan with Everton and Aston Villa respectively while Juninho is scheduled to arrive in Southern California later this week.
COME SEE THE GALAXY HOST MONTREAL ON FEBRUARY 14: Tuesday morning’s preseason game against the Montreal Impact will be open to fans that make a minimum donation of $5 (cash only) to the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation. The game, which will see the Galaxy take on Donovan Ricketts and the Impact, kicks off at 10:30 a.m. on University Field #1 at The Home Depot Center. Fans looking to attend the game should enter the stadium through Gate D off Victoria and park in Lot 17. Parking is free and the gates will open at 10 a.m. All tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis and fans are asked not to request photos with or autographs from the players of either team. MORE INFO
The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, strives to support and create educational, health and recreational activities and programs for children, with a specific focus on aiding disadvantaged and at-risk youth. Through the involvement of the club’s players, coaching and front office and support of Galaxy fans, the Foundation seeks to make a positive impact on and off the field.
ON LOAN UPDATES: Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane continued their loan spells in England last week, with each returning to Premier League action over the weekend. Donovan played the full 90 minutes as Everton scored once on either side of halftime to beat Chelsea 2-0. Keane and Aston Villa were not so lucky, falling 1-0 to Manchester City at Villa Park.
With his team already leading 1-0 at Goodison Park, Donovan provided the final pass for Denis Stracqualursi to score Everton’s second goal of the game and seal a 2-0 victory. Everton are now unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, with Donovan recording five assists in that time. They now stand in a tie with Sunderland for ninth place in the Premier League with 13 league games remaining on the schedule.
While Donovan helped his team to a home win over Chelsea, Keane was not able to help his team produce a similar result at home against Manchester City. Villa lost to the Premier League leaders 1-0 with Keane playing the full 90 minutes up front for the home side. Villa now find themselves in 15th place in the Premier League with a 6-9-10 record for 28 points.
Keane and Aston Villa have the week off this week while Everton host Blackpool in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.
SEASON BEGINS
The LA Galaxy will play their first official game of 2012 on Wednesday, March 7 when they face Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal, which will be played at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They will open the 2012 MLS season three days later on Saturday, March 10 when they host Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center in MLS First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. That game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and tickets are on sale now as part of season ticket packages as well as three and six-game plans. Followers of the Galaxy on Facebook and Twitter have access to an exclusive presale, starting at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, February 14. Follow the Galaxy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lagalaxy or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LAGalaxy.
