The start of the 2010 MLS season is now less than two weeks away with the Galaxy continuing their preparations with a full week of training at The Home Depot Center. Bruce Arena's team will hold four training sessions this week before playing their final game of the preseason on Sunday evening against El Salvadoran side CD Aguila.
Prior to the game, the Galaxy will host the 2010 Fan Fest from 2-4 p.m. in parking lot 13 of The Home Depot Center. Highlighting this year's Fan Fest will be General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena addressing fans with the annual State of the Team Address, a special team introductory video, a Galaxy Equipment sale, interactive booths, Beer Garden, food, entertainment, music and much more.
Six days later, the Galaxy play their 2010 MLS season opener against the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 27 at The Home Depot Center. That game, which is presented by Sizzler, will kick off at 8 p.m. and will be shown live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports En Español.
Media availability will take place fieldside following training on select days. Media members wishing to attend training are asked to contact the Galaxy Communications Department prior to the session that you wish to attend. Please be advised that training sessions vary in length so be sure to arrive as close to the start of training as possible. Additionally, players and coaches are not required to speak with the media so please inform the Galaxy Communications staff of your interview requests.
Interview Requests outside of these time periods can be made via email with the Galaxy Communications Department at mediarequests@lagalaxy.com or by contacting any member of the Department.
DONOVAN RETURNS: Galaxy captain Landon Donovan returned to the United States on Sunday after completing a 10-week loan to Everton of the English Premier League. The 28-year-old registered in 13 games for Everton, appearing in 10 league matches, as well as two Europa League games and one FA Cup match. Donovan had two goals and three assists in his time with the Toffees and helped the club to a 7-4-2 record in the 13 games in which he played.
Full details of Donovan's training schedule and media availability with the club will be released on Tuesday morning.
BECKHAM INJURED: Galaxy midfielder David Beckham underwent surgery in Finland on Monday to repair a torn left Achilles tendon that he suffered while on loan with AC Milan of Serie A. No timetable has been set for the 34-year-old's rehabilitation process or his return to the field.
Beckham appeared in 13 games during his second loan spell in as many years with Milan. He played in 13 of Milan's 14 Serie A or Champions League games during his time with the club, which began on January 6 with a 5-2 home win over Genoa. He tallied his only assist for Milan in a 4-0 win over Siena on January 17 and helped them to a 7-3-3 record in the 13 games that he played.
THREE CONTINUE REHAB: Galaxy midfielders Jovan Kirovski and Clint Mathis, and forward Alan Gordon are scheduled to continue their rehabilitation from knee injuries this week at The Home Depot Center. Mathis underwent surgery early last month after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee during one of the club's first training sessions of the preseason, an injury that was scheduled to keep him out between 4-6 weeks. Gordon suffered a bone bruise to his left knee shortly before the club's 10-day camp in Arizona, while Kirovski sprained the MCL in his left knee in training at the start of this month.
All three players are currently working out with the club's medical staff and are expected to be fit and ready for the club's season opener against New England on March 27.
GETTING TO KNOW AGUILA: The Galaxy will play their final preseason game of the year at 5 p.m. on Sunday evening when they host CD Aguila of the El Salvadoran Primera Division at The Home Depot Center. One of the most popular clubs in El Salvador, Aguila are currently second in the Primera Division with a 4-1-4 record for 16 points, leaving them five points behind the leaders, L.A. Firpo.
The San Miguel-based club are led by manager Nelson Ancheta, who was named the club's head coach in December. Ancheta's squad features a trio of El Salvadoran internationals in goalkeeper Miguel Montes, defender Deris Umanzor and forward Rudis Corrales, as well as former El Salvadoran international midfielders Gilberto Murgas and William Torres, who are tied for the club lead with three goals each this season.
GALAXY INTRODUCE WIN TWO, GET ONE FREE: The Galaxy are offering fans an exciting opportunity to see a rematch of MLS Cup 2009 between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake for free with the club's special Win Two, Get One Free ticket offer. Through this offer, fans can purchase tickets to each of the Galaxy's first two home games of the season - against New England on March 27 and against Chivas USA on April 1 - and if the Galaxy win both games, fans will receive a free ticket to the club's home game against Real Salt Lake on April 17.
Fans wishing to purchase tickets through this offer can do so by clicking here or by calling 1-877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
GALAXY U-18'S EARN A POINT AGAINST LAFC CHELSEA ON SUNDAY: The LA Galaxy Youth Academy U-16 and U-18 teams were back in action this weekend when they hosted LAFC Chelsea on Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center.
In their first game in nearly a month, the Galaxy U-16's fell 2-0 in the day's first game, dropping their record to 3-2-2 on the season and snapping a two-game winning streak.
Later in the day, the Galaxy U-18's earned a 1-1 draw, with Eric Verso cancelling out an early LAFC goal for the 1-1 final. The Galaxy are now 3-2-2 on the season for 11 points, four points behind first place Real So Cal with just under three months left in the season.
Both teams are off this weekend but will be back in action the following weekend with a pair of games in Northern California. On Saturday, the Galaxy will take on the De Anza Force at De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif., with the U-16's kicking off at 12:30 p.m. and the U-18's playing at 3 p.m.
The following day, the Galaxy U-16's will take on the California Development Academy at 11 a.m., followed by the U-18's at 1 p.m. Those games will each be played at Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif.
MEDIA PARKING AT TRAINING: All media members are asked to enter through Gate A, off Avalon Blvd., and to park in Lot 18 when attending Galaxy training sessions at The Home Depot Center. Members of the media who park in Lot 6, across from University Fields 1 and 2, during training sessions may be ticketed by California State University - Dominguez Hills.
LOOKING FOR MORE UPDATES?: If you are looking for continuous updates from the Galaxy all week long, be sure to visit the club's official websites www.lagalaxy.com and www.lagalaxyfutbol.com, or the club's official blog at www.thelagalaxy.blogspot.com for all the latest news from the club. The Galaxy can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lagalaxy.
