Galaxy Goalkeeper Ricketts Likely to Miss Season Opener Sunday
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.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Who cares who the goalkeeper is?
How can you lose your top player and not even get a replacement for him? The fans are supposed to be happy that Donovan is coming back???? Didn't they finish in last place with Donovan and Beckham last year.......A joke of a front office.
Thanks for the Bruce quote on the Sanneh "deal"
The Galaxy has been in the cellar since Donovan was acquired. I don't know what it is, but it sure is coincidental.
Yeah, Rick, except for, you know, when they won MLS Cup in 2005 and the U.S. Open Cup in 2005 - with Donovan.
37-year-old-Tony in central defence. should be a torrid start to pre-season.
Nick, do you know what happened to Leo Bautista? Haven't seen his name come up anymore.
Nick replies: The Venezuelan defender was cut by the Galaxy in February, picked up by Chivas USA and was cut by them earlier this month.
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad English, I've just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo