CARSON, Calif. -- After missing Thursday's Knockout Round match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC with soreness in his right quadriceps, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told reporters on Saturday that Christian Wilhelmsson will "likely" be available for Sunday's Western Conference Semifinal first leg against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Wilhelmsson trained on Saturday for the first time since suffering the injury during Wednesday's training session. With squad rotation likely due to the three day turnaround between the Vancouver and San Jose games, if Wilhelmsson is available, he could potentially slide into midfield on either flank against the Earthquakes. The Swedish International has shown that he can have success against the San Jose as he was particularly dangerous during his 79 minute stint in LA's 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium in October.
But while Wilhelmsson appears available to play on Sunday, Arena remains coy on the status of defender A.J. DeLaGarza. The Galaxy centerback picked up left MCL sprain due to a collision with Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings in LA's 1-1 draw at Dick's Sporting Goods Park back on Sept. 30 and is currently listed as out on the club's official injury report. The injury prevented DeLaGarza from appearing in LA's final two Regular Season matches, but when asked on Saturday if DeLaGarza would miss out on the postseason, Arena said that no decision has been made.
"I have not moved towards that conclusion one way or the other," said Arena. "I haven't moved towards that conclusion. I was terrible in biology and never took anatomy or physiology, so I don't know the answers to those questions."
