CARSON, Calif. – A left hip strain kept LA Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez off the field in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact, but by the time that Sunday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes rolls around, Gonzalez expects to be in the starting XI for LA.
Gonzalez returned to full training earlier this week and even though he is still feeling soreness in his left hip, the Galaxy center back asserts that he “will be playing” against San Jose.
“I'm feeling better. I think this week and a half to rest was good for me. I'm still not feeling amazing, but that doesn't matter at this point out the year,” said Gonzalez. “You just have to grind it out and I'll be ready for Sunday.”
Gonzalez’s confidence was echoed by head coach Bruce Arena who told reporters on Friday that he “anticipates” that the defender and forward Landon Donovan will be back in the starting lineup. However, associate head coach Dave Sarachan admitted that the team is being patient to a certain extent with both of their stars.
“They’re day-to-day and we've had to monitor them,” said Sarachan. “The hope is that we'll have a full lineup on Sunday. These guys are good pros and they're going to do whatever they can to get on the field.”
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Who should play alongside Gonzalez on Sunday?
