CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy opened preseason training camp on Monday and while the status of Landon Donovan may be garnering most of the interest, below are a few notes from LA’s first day of preseason.
Bruce Arena opened preseason on Monday that consisted of many from the roster including goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini and U.S. national team camp invitees Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza. The two defenders stepped away from U.S. camp briefly to attend the meeting and meet their new teammates.
Sixteen players participated on the club’s on the field training on Monday that consisted entirely of fitness drills. Kofi Opare, Kenney Walker, and Cudicini were at The HDC, but spent the session downstairs.
Several players were absent for various reasons: Robbie Keane (training with Tottenham Hotspur), Mike Magee (recovering from wisdom teeth removal), Todd Dunivant (finishing up his honeymoon and is expected to return on Tuesday), Oscar Sorto and Jose Villarreal (with U.S. Under-20’s), Donovan (extended break), DeLaGarza and Gonzalez (with U.S. national team),
Among the absent was Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who is awaiting his visa and is expected in camp by the end of the week or the beginning of next.
According to LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, the Galaxy are hopeful that they will have goalkeeper William Hesmer in camp. Hesmer was selected in stage two of the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
There were several number changes with the team: Bryan Gaul will don No. 17 after wearing 35 last year. Carlo Cudicini has taken over No.1 from Brian Rowe who will now wear No. 12. Meanwhile midfielder Colin Clark will wear No. 11.
Former LA Galaxy midfielder Kyle Nakazawa, who was expected to enter camp as a non-roster invitee has elected to retire. Nakazawa missed much of the 2012 season due to back spasms.
LA will be training at The Home Depot Center throughout the preseason. Arena expected the Galaxy to play in eight exhibition or practice games. The first will be a match against the United States Under-17 national team on Feb. 1.
