CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy took part in their final training session on Wednesday before a three day break for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Before the Galaxy players crisscross the country for the holiday, they took part in a brisk session at the training ground in the shadow of The Home Depot Center. The holiday break will be the club’s biggest in a month ahead of their most important game of the season, the 2012 MLS Cup which takes place on Dec. 1 at The HDC.
Below Bruce Arena, Todd Dunivant, Mike Magee, Sean Franklin, and Jose Villarreal discuss the implications of the holiday break on the team.
ARENA: “I think [it’s good]. Hopefully we can get back into the swing of things quickly [on Sunday]. With the game still a bit away, we can afford the three days and hopefully it’ll get the guys rested and ready to go next week.”
DUNIVANT: “We need the break, it’s been a long five playoff games in a very short amount of time. We had a really good tough session today and I think we felt our heavy legs, so it’ll be good to get time off and regroup, regenerate, and be ready to come back sharp next week.”
FRANKLIN: “I wish it wasn’t such a big break. Last year, there was also two weeks between the conference game and the MLS Cup and it’d be nice to have the game this week to keep the momentum from our game this past Sunday. It is what it is, it’s nice to have a few days off to get a few guys healthy who have a few knocks and nicks. [When] we come back from this break, it’s time to crack down and get things sharp for December 1.”
MAGEE: “I think it’s good. We got some guys banged up that we want to get back. A bunch of guys are ill and I don’t think that Seattle weather helped us too much. I think we think we needed this break, obviously, we would have liked a break before, but we’ll take it now.”
VILLARREAL: “Since the Seattle game, I think about the final every day, but it’s good to have a couple of days off and to with the family and enjoy that time. Then we get back to business and get to it to win that cup again.”
