First-choice goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts needed 10 stitches to close a gash on his eye brow suffered in a 85th-minute clash in the comfortable win Wednesday against the Chicago Fire. Ricketts was removed and replaced by Josh Saunders.

Club officials said they’ll know more about Ricketts’ status after a scheduled training session in D.C. later today, but he’ll likely be listed as “probable” for Saturday’s game against United.

Dema Kovalenko, meanwhile, removed at the half of Wednesday’s game, did not suffer a new injury, but felt a twinge in the calf issue he’s continuing to recover from. Galaxy officials are simply wary of pushing him to do too much too soon.

And, since readers keep asking, neither Alecko Eskandarian or Edson Buddle are available this weekend; neither made the road trip and they are officially listed as day to day (or if you prefer, week to week).

Meanwhile, having disposed of a out of form Fire team that was limited to precisely zero shots on target, the Galaxy will face a similarly stumbling D.C. United team that has just one win in its last seven games and has lost three straight.

Is this a team in crisis? You decide.