CARSON, Calif. – A nagging sports hernia injury sidelined LA Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Perk, but now fully recovered, the backup goalkeeper is hungry to get back on the training field.
The Galaxy backup ‘keeper has been sidelined since March 16 after undergoing sports hernia surgery, which allowed LA’s third goalkeeper Brian Rowe to slide into the second spot behind starting ‘keeper Carlo Cudicini. His recovery finally completed, Perk returned to training this week.
“I feel really excited to get back as opposed to when you’ve been training for two months; you take it a little for granted. When you’ve been out for a month and some change, it’s really exciting,” Perk told LA Galaxy Insider. “It’s good to be back with all the guys, I missed them for a good two weeks. It’s not normal and it feels good to get back with everyone.”
First things first, however, as Perk understands that he must impress in training to win back his role as LA’s first choice backup.
“You always have to earn it back,” said Perk. “Brian Rowe obviously looks really good and is playing well as of late. I have to come in and work hard because nothing is given to you and I know that.”
Head coach Bruce Arena, who kept an eagle eye on Perk during his recuperation from surgery, has been impressed thus far.
“He looks good. He looks like he is fully recovered,” Arena said. “He’s done a good job of rehabilitating from surgery and he’s ready to go.”
The 23-year-old will look to make his first appearance since the preseason on Sunday when the Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake in Reserve League play. The match would be Perk’s first appearance since the Galaxy’s 6-2 preseason victory over Club Tijuana on February 19.
“We haven’t talked about it yet [with the coaching staff], we’ll see how the end of the week goes, but I’m going to be pushing for minutes, but those things are up to Bruce so we’ll see,” said Perk.
If he does see time in that reserve fixture, it’d be a major boost to Perk’s continued recovery.
“It’d be great, especially so quickly after I got healthy. To get however minutes would be great,” Perk said. “It’d help get the motions back and since we have a lot of games coming up. I’ll do anything to do what I can to get on the field when Bruce sees fit.”
