CARSON, Calif. -- The batteries recharged after a rare weekend off, the LA Galaxy returned to the training ground on Monday in preparation for Thursday's CONCACAF Champions League opener against El Salvador's Isidro Metapan.
The Metapan match on Thursday signals the beginning of another long stretch of games for LA, who play four games over the next ten days. Ahead of another long stretch, the Galaxy admitted that the week end off was key for their physical and mental state heading into CCL and the closing stages of the league calendar.
Below are a series of thoughts from head coach Bruce Arena and defender A.J. DeLaGarza on the club's state after a bye.
ARENA: “I think it was important, we’ve had a very difficult stretch and a very difficult year. we’ve basically finished all our games on the road in the league. I think we have two remaining; it’s been a long haul. To get a little time off is good and hopefully, our guys will be fresh for these next four games that will be very challenging.”
DELAGARZA: "It was good, we had a lot of weekend, week day games for quite a while so it was good to get a couple of days off and clear our minds heading into another physical challenge in these next four games. It’s another big stretch, obviously CONCACAF is huge and for our first two games to be here, they’re must win games and with the league games, we can kind of separate ourselves and really push for maybe a top spot."
