CARSON, Calif. -- With Jaime Penedo away on international duty with Panama, Brian Rowe is expecting to make his third consecutive start this month against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.
Rowe has started the last two games in net for the Galaxy while Penedo has been way with Panama at the Copa CentroAmericana, helping the Galaxy to a 1-0-1 record while conceding just two goals. Despite Panama's inability to reach the final, Penedo stayed behind to play in the third place match against El Salvador in Los Angeles before rejoining the Galaxy.
With Penedo away and Brian Perk starting for Galaxy II in their USL PRO playoff match against Rochester Rhinos on Sunday, Rowe is expecting to get the nod in net once more.
"You always go into games mentally preparing yourself to start," said Rowe. "I know I’ll prepare as if I’m starting. I’ll watch the film of San Jose and get ready."
If he does in fact get the start, Rowe expects a tough test from an Earthquakes side that while struggling, boasts a number of talented attacking weapons.
"They have [Chris] Wondolowski up there who’s great about getting into good positions finishing off balls. He always had good movement around the box, you always have to keep him in mind," said Rowe. "They got good guys going forward. It’s going to be a smaller field up there, a little tighter atmosphere. We just have to start off the game well defensively and try and get the three points."
