Starting Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who left Saturday’s final preseason game against the Chicago Fire with an apparent recurrence of the hamstring strain that’s bothered him during preseason, underwent an MRI Monday and is expected to miss the season opener, Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said today.

“There’s a chance he could be available on Sunday, but I’m not optimistic,” he said. “We’re just going to have to wait and see.”

If the Jamaican is out, Josh Saunders will likely start in goal for the noon game against D.C. United and find himself facing former Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Wicks in the opposing goal. Wicks, who was traded last week to D.C. United, could be the beneficiary of an injury to United’s regular starter in goal, Louis Crayton.

Other injury concerns for the Galaxy include defender Todd Dunivant (out for another month or so), and striker Alan Gordon (hamstring). Forward Edson Buddle, who didn’t play on the weekend, is listed as day to day.

Tony Sanneh, 37, who will partner top draft pick Omar Gonzalez in the center of defense should sign a contract this week, Arena said Monday, observing that “it is in the hands of the league.”

I’ll have more in Tuesday’s column, but here’s a little trivia: Click here to find out what the A.J. in rookie A.J. DeLaGarza’s name stands for.