The Galaxy’s newly-signed veteran midfielder Clint Mathis, 33, went under the knife Friday in Santa Monica after injuring his left miniscus (that’s knee cartilage for the non-medically-inclined) in training last week.
“Mathis has already begun his rehabilitation and could return to full training before the end of the preseason,” the club said today in a press release. “He is expected to be available for the club’s season opener against the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 27.”
The 12-year MLS veteran, who has scored 61 goals in 249 regular season games, is in his second or third stint for the Galaxy depending whether you count the short episode in 2007 when the club and player were unable to come to contract terms and Mathis opted to play in Greece.
“It has nothing to do with age,” Coach Bruce Arena said of the injury after training at Home Depot Center this morning. “Clint has a history with knees. You never like to see an injury, but if there’s going to be one the best time to do it is now because he has plenty of time to rehabilitate and be ready for the first part of the season.”
Meanwhile it appears Galaxy fans won’t be seeing striker Alecko Eskandarian teaming up front with Edson Buddle any time soon.
Eskandarian, who suffered yet another concussion last year in a career punctuated by them, will be out some time it appears:
“The status of Alecko will be finalized this week, but he hasn’t been cleared to play,” Arena said. “I wouldn’t say his career (is done), but his ability to play in the short term is going to be delayed for sure. … Once his status is determined we’ll fully explain where he’s at. … Maybe in the old days this guy might have a chance of playing, but I think we’re being very cautious and thinking of the player first. … Whatever is in his best interests in the long- and short-term we’re going to go with.”
Finally on the walking wounded front, Chivas USA striker Maicon Santos is out six to eight weeks after injuring his left MCL in a collision with Loyola Marymount University’s goalkeeper in a scrimmage last Thursday. Rest, not surgery, is the prescription for this injury, club officials said.
