CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini missed out on last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake due to a right leg strain, but thanks to seven saves from backup Brian Rowe, LA sealed the vital road victory.
READ: Brian Rowe puts in masterful performance to seal LA Galaxy win over RSL
Now steadily returning from injury, Cudicini has his sights set on returning to his place in between the pipes for the LA Galaxy starting with this Sunday’s 2011 and 2012 MLS Cup rematch against the Houston Dynamo.
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The leg strain began during the Galaxy’s pregame preparations ahead of their match against Sporting Kansas City on April 20 and lasted throughout the match. With an appearance against Houston firmly in his crosshairs, Cudicini admits that he’s improving daily.
“It feels alright today. I got back with the team doing some short games and it feels alright. Tomorrow we’ll be off so it’ll be another good day to work and have treatment on Saturday, we’ll go 100 percent,” Cudicini told reporters on Wednesday. “Goalkeeping training is fine, it was more about kicking that was the problem, but I’ve been training with the goalkeeper coach which is fine and it was more kicking that started [the strain].”
LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is pleased with Cudicini’s continued improving fitness stating “we’re thinking all our guys will be ready to play this weekend.” This could open the door not just for Cudicini, but also forwards Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan as well as defender Todd Dunivant, all of whom missed LA’s win over RSL due to injury.
While the stars were away, however, LA held down the fort against RSL with a 2-0 victory. But it was Rowe, who shined above all others with seven saves to earn a shutout in his MLS debut. A day later, Cudicini’s usual understudy Brian Perk made his own statement with LA’s reserves by tallying six saves in a 1-0 defeat to RSL in the Reserve League.
READ: Brian Perk shines in Reserve League match after month-long injury recovery
Pleased with the stellar performances of both ‘keepers Cudicini welcomes their performances as a chance to raise his own game to another level.
“It’s not only after this game. I feel that everywhere, the player who deserves [to play] in training and during the games will be the one in top form,” Cudicini said.
And as for whether or not he’ll be available for Sunday’s clash against the Houston Dynamo, Cudicini is optimistic that he’ll be ready.
“Hopefully,” Cudicini said. “As I said, we’ll take it tomorrow and we’ll go for treatment and gym then Friday and Saturday, we’ll see how it is.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
