CARSON, Calif. – At last, the LA Galaxy may have Landon Donovan back on the field for Sunday’s vital Western Conference clash with the Portland Timbers.
Donovan has been suffering from a left ankle sprain since LA’s 2-2 draw on Sept. 14 against D.C. United, but Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said that Donovan was “close” to suiting up in LA’s last two games against Seattle Sounders FC and C.S. Cartaginés. However he did admit there was a “strong possibility” that Donovan will be ready for the match against the Timbers.
The 31-year-old Galaxy forward returned to full training on Friday, but took a “we'll see” approach to his availability for the match against the Timbers.
“With any injury, you don’t know until you wake up each day and some days you wake up and feel great,” said Donovan, who admits that the turf at JELD-WEN Field will not enter into the training staff’s thinking when deciding his availability. “A few weeks back [against San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 31] I had a [back] injury where I was told that I had zero chance that I was playing and I played 90 minutes. The Seattle game, I was more hopeful and I was told that I couldn’t play. Each day you wake up and you take it for what it is and then you move forward.”
If Donovan does suit up, the forward is well aware that the Galaxy will need three points on the road if they're going to solidify their playoff spot—and possibly make a run at the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
“We have five games left and realistically, if we want to vie for the Supporters Shield, we've got to win four out of five,” said Donovan.” Every game is crucial right now and we want to put our best team on the field every time.”
