Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
The Los Angeles Galaxy is preparing to embark on a three-city road trip but may be without its biggest star, Landon Donovan, for the start of its first match.
The Galaxy captain has missed the last past two days of practice in order to get himself fit for the upcoming trip. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena stated that the team was trying to get Donovan enough rest to be ready for the match, and he left the door open for him to potentially start on the bench against D.C. United.
Here is more news from around the MLS Western Conference:
CHIVAS USA
Robin Fraser has brought in Liverpool Academy product Jason Benton for a week-long trial with the Rojiblancos. An 18-year-old attacker who can play both forward and left wing, Benton, has spent time in the youth programs of a number of different teams in England including Arsenal, Blackburn and Liverpool.
COLORADO RAPIDS
The Colorado Rapids are flying high at the moment and will look for another victory over their MLS Cup foe, FC Dallas, on Friday. However, while the Rapids may be near the top of the standings, many in the team feel that there is much to improve upon.
Following their MLS Cup rematch at Pizza Hut Park, the Rapids will travel to Rio Tinto Stadium to face Rocky Mountain rival Real Salt Lake.
FC DALLAS
Things haven't been going well with the Western Conference champions at the start of the season, and in a recent interview with ESPN Dallas, head coach Schellas Hyndman stated that his club is "disjointed" at the moment.
Also,this week FC Dallas announced that it will be creating a woman's team that will play in the WPSL (Women's Pro Soccer League) and be run under the Dallas Youth system.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
With no league matches scheduled on Saturday, the Portland Timbers will face off against Oregon State in a exhibition match on Saturday. Oregon State, the only Pac-10 soccer program in the state, produced 2010 No. 1 overall SuperDraft pick Danny Mwanga.
The Timbers injury woes increased when starting central defender David Horst picked up a potentially serious knee injury in practice on Thursday. Horst was taken to the hospital and an MRI is forthcoming.
REAL SALT LAKE
RSL may be in Massachusetts to prepare for a Saturday match with the New England Revolution, but one can not blame the team for putting a bit of focus on its upcoming CONCACAF Champions League final matches with Mexican giant Monterrey. Arguably one of the best teams in Mexico over the past year, Monterrey boasts Chilean striker Humberto Suazo, whom Javier Morales has already showered with praise.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The Earthquakes have surprised some who figured that they may come back to earth after their impressive showing last season. One player who has been instrumental to that has been captain Ramiro Corrales, who remains an intergral part of coach Frank Yallop's club.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Seattle Sounders and Chivas USA have postponed their reserve league match, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday. The match will take place at a later date.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
Eric Hassli has been on a scoring tear since his signing to the Whitecaps, but he'll have to learn to avoid costly ejections that have been keeping him off of the field. Hassli was given his second yellow and subsquent red for removing his shirt as part of the celebration after scoring a penalty kick in the Whitecaps' 1-1 draw with New England on Wednesday.
Following the match, Hassli issued an apology stating that he had never heard of such a rule against that kind of action.
