CARSON, Calif. – It looks like Omar Gonzalez is returning to the starting lineup for the LA Galaxy, but who will be joining him in central defense?
The two front runners for the position right now appear to be rookie Kofi Opare and veteran center back Leonardo, who each excelled during LA’s 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. Opare, who scored the game winner against Montreal, has started four of the LA Galaxy’s last six regular season games in central defense including two matches with Gonzalez when Leonardo went down with left adductor fatigue after LA’s 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC on Sept. 21. Prior to Leonardo’s injury, however, he had started seven consecutive league matches for the Galaxy dating back to the start of August.
It also bears mentioning that defender A.J. DeLaGarza is continuing to recover from a dislocated left elbow while second-year defender Tommy Meyer filled in for an injured Gonzalez on Oct. 6 against Chivas USA.
“I think it’s great that we have so much depth and how far all these guys have come along especially with Kofi being a rookie and not really thinking about getting a sniff at the beginning of the year,” said Gonzalez. “Now here he is starting games and doing really well. I couldn’t be happier for him, Leonardo is always solid and with A.J. we’re stoked to get him back because he’s been such a solid good defender and part of so much of our success.”
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