CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 0-0 tie with the Montreal Impact last Saturday at StubHub Center may have been a drab affair, but it was not without its share of positive developments.
One was the return of Baggio Husidic, who made his first appearance since July 17 against San Jose and went 45 minutes in relief of Giovani Dos Santos, who was replaced as a precautionary measure by head coach Bruce Arena because of a sore groin.
The 28-year-old Husidic had been battling a strained right calf that had forced him to the sideline for a much longer period of time than he anticipated. The midfielder said he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief when he headed onto the field for the start of the second half last weekend.
“It was real nice to be back,” he said after training Tuesday. “Obviously my sharpness is still far from where it’s supposed to be, and fitness-wise I feel a little bit behind. You can’t replicate playing games, and being out for over a month stinks.”
Husidic said he actually was surprised by his endurance Saturday, despite the long layoff.
“It was pretty good,” he said. “It was just 45 minutes, so you could push it a little. But it’s tough to come into a game where the game is so fast and they’re a counter-attacking team with skillful players.
“I think it would have been much more fun if it had been 5-0 and we were just kicking the ball around. What can you do?”
Husidic had ben enjoying a solid season prior to the injury. He had three goals and five assists in MLS play and another goal in a U.S. Open Cup match. He felt confident he would return quickly from the injury but was surprised it took much longer to recover.
Husidic, who said he feared he may have aggravated the strained muscle during his rehabilitation, said the injury was the first major setback he had suffered during his career.
“I guess you could say I was pushing it a little too hard,” he said. “It was very frustrating. What should have been a two-, three-week max injury ended up being over a month.
“It was frustrating not being part of the 18 and the 11, especially after starting the season off pretty decent and being in form. Then you go back to almost preseason shape.
“But the leg is 100 percent now. I feel good.”
Nothing, he said, beats being back on the field.
“Having fun and hanging out with the guys is good,” he said. “Being able to compete without thinking of any injuries and not having to hold back is good.
“It was a bit hard at times, but you have to accept it and do what you need to do.”