CARSON, Calif. – Ever steadily, LA Galaxy center back Tommy Meyer is approaching his return to the field.
A nagging left hamstring injury caused Meyer to miss the final three matches of the preseason as well as Galaxy’s home opener against the Chicago Fire and the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against C.S. Herediano, but Meyer began his return to the field this week. First, the 22-year-old returned to full training on Monday and then two days later, he was on the substitutes’ bench for the Galaxy’s 4-1 second leg victory over Herediano.
After spending several weeks on the sidelines, the chance to return to the bench on Wednesday, left Meyer pleased, but eager to get back on the field.
“You kind of feel like you’ve got to step back when you’re injured. It’s a little different to sit in the stands watching, but it’s definitely nice to be out on the bench and if I was needed then I was able to play,” said Meyer. “Everything is going well. I’m getting back into the training and starting to get fitness back so the past week has been good.”
With the Galaxy currently preparing for their fourth game in 15 days, Meyer is an option to see the field in Sunday’s SuperClasico against Chivas USA after center backs Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, and A.J. DeLaGarza have logged heavy minutes in recent matches.
If called upon, Meyer admits that his hamstring is currently at 100 percent, but the center back knows that he'll have to earn his way back on the starting lineup.
“You just have to be ready. I’m not sure that [Bruce Arena is] ready to put me in yet, but I’m sure that I’ll be in the 18 [on Sunday], hopefully, as soon as I get minutes in practice then I might get closer,” said Meyer. “You never know. I’d like to [play] if I need to be used at some point, it’ll be great, but if not, then I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities.”
