CARSON, Calif. – Nearly two weeks removed from a hip pointer injury that prevented him from featuring in the LA Galaxy’s defeat to Real Salt Lake on Oct. 6, defender Todd Dunivant is ready for this weekend’s clash against the San Jose Earthquakes (4 p.m. PT, Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Galavision, AM 1150, 1330 AM, LIVE CHAT).
READ: Injured Dunivant eyes Oct. 21 return
Dunivant told reporters following training on Thursday that he fully expects to appear in this Sunday’s important match against the Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. The 31-year-old left back has been a participant in training since the start of the week and believes that he’s ready to get back into the lineup.
“[I’m] feeling good,” said Dunivant of his condition.” I did really intense fitness with the team on Thursday and Friday last week and trained Monday, Tuesday and we had Wednesday off, but I trained again today. I’m feeling great, I don’t feel any ill effects and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
With the international break in full swing, the Galaxy backline regular, who has played in 27 of 32 league matches this season, was able to inch closer to full fitness and admitted that he felt “ready to play” at the end of last week.
READ: Dunivant working his way back to full fitness
The Galaxy will need Dunivant’s skill and guile this weekend as the LA defender will be tasked with stopping dynamic San Jose right winger Marvin Chavez. The fleet-footed Honduran leads the Quakes in assists with 10 and Dunivant believes that he has been one of the primary reasons that San Jose are on the brink of clinching the Supporters’ Shield.
“He’s so dangerous, he’s so quick and fast and direct as well as good at cutting inside and shooting the ball with his left,” said Dunivant. “If you give him too much space then he can beat you to the line so he’s a very difficult player to play against and a guy that you have to be on for the full 90 minutes if you want to keep him contained.”
Although containing Chavez will pose a major test for Dunivant, after nearly two weeks of recovery, Dunivant is feeling fresh and ready for the challenge.
“Sometimes when you miss time, you lose a rhythm so it’s that kind of battle between freshness of legs and rhythm. It can go either way,” said Dunivant. “It’s more going to depend on how it all goes in the end. Certainly, I’m looking forward to it and I’m going to take the rest that I got.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
