With Tuesday’s column wrapped (check back in the morning for more on the Galaxy’s new crop of rookies) and the technical issues that have prevented me from blogging solved, I thought I’d provide a modest update on the teams ahead of Thursday’s nationally televised LA derby between Chivas USA and the Galaxy.
Regular readers of 100 Percent Soccer know that Chivas USA Coach Martin Vasquez is strongly leaning toward veteran Costa Rican Froylan Ledezma to fill one of the two remaining open roster spots.
The other could well be filled by a more familiar face – former Chivas USA defender Alex Zotinca.
The club didn’t pick up Zotinca’s option last year and he spent 2009 qualifying for his coaching license.
But the 33-year-old veteran of six MLS seasons is not ready to hang up the cleats yet and Vasquez needs a backup at centerback (and right back).
“We need depth because we only have six defenders, with him it will be seven,” Vasquez said. “He looks good so far. We have another two weeks to make a decision, but if he gets over the fatigue and the soreness and gets fit, I believe he can help us.
“He knows the players in this league and that’s a big plus.”
Meanwhile, striker Maicon Santos played 60 minutes Saturday in a scrimmage against a local PDL team and could return for the game against the Galaxy, pending a fitness test Tuesday or Wednesday.
Here’s the Galaxy’s injury report ahead of Thursday’s game:
QUESTIONABLE – Gregg Berhalter (left knee soreness), Alan Gordon (left knee bruise), Bryan Jordan (left upper leg soreness), Jovan Kirovski (left knee sprain), Eddie Lewis (left foot contusion), Clint Mathis (left knee surgery)
Also, while I was unavoidably out of the blogging loop for much of the weekend:
*GOLTV announced it will start airing in HD Aug. 1, although of course, as we’re discovering with Fox Soccer channel, if your carrier doesn’t make room for it among its hi def offerings that doesn’t mean much.
*Three So Cal products all got on the scoresheet as the U.S. Women’s National Team, downed Mexico 3-0 Sunday in San Diego.
Scoring were Torrance’s Shannon Boxx, USC product Amy Rodriguez and UCLA product Lauren Cheney (Boxxy got the assist on Cheney’s goal, too).
