CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is close to finalizing his roster for the upcoming 2015 campaign, and trialists Edson Buddle and Mika Väyrynen appear to be closing in on roster spots for the year ahead.
Buddle, 33, has trained with the club since the start of the preseason, but missed out on the team's 1-0 preseason victory over Shamrock Rovers due to injury. Although Buddle missed out on the club's penultimate preseason match, Arena still seems set on bringing the veteran forward back for a third stint with the Galaxy.
"Buddle is here training and we hope to be able to sign him," said Arena after the club's first training session in Southern California in two weeks. "We haven't done anything else on any other [trialists] yet. When we have an answer, we'll let you know."
Väyrynen was not present on Wednesday as he remains in Scandinavia after spending most of the Galaxy's European trip training with the club. The 33-year-old former Finnish international played in both LA preseason matches in Europe, and scored the game-winning goal in the team's win over Rovers last weekend.
Even though Väyrynen is not currently training with the club, Arena is open to bringing the midfielder to Southern California for another look.
"He's a good experienced player," said Arena. "It's a possibility [he could return]. We haven't finalized anything yet."
After training, Arena's captain Robbie Keane echoed his manager's sentiments on both trialists.
"I was impressed by [Väyrynen]He was good and he's technically very, very good," said Keane. "And we know what Edson is about. He'd certainly be a good addition to the squad."
