Galaxy game day: Sebastian Lletget inches closer to full health before second leg of CCL quarterfinal

Photo by Steve McCrank // Daily Breeze

Photo by Steve McCrank // Daily Breeze

While Sebastian Lletget battled tightness in his groin throughout most of the preseason, offseason signing Emmanuel Boateng slotted into Lletget’s spot at the left midfield. The 22-year-old Boateng had an encouraging offseason for the Galaxy, despite some offensive miscues in the team’s CONCACAF Champions League debut, so the competition for the starting spot in the left side of the midfield is definitely strong heading into the rest of the season.

Lletget said this week that he is “very, very close to 100 percent” leading up to the second leg of the Galaxy’s CCL quarterfinal match against Santos Laguna on Tuesday (7 p.m., Fox Sports 2, Sportsnet World). He said returning to full fitness is still the main concern, but intends to retain his starting spot when he becomes fully healthy. Continue reading “Galaxy game day: Sebastian Lletget inches closer to full health before second leg of CCL quarterfinal” »

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Galaxy waive Dan Gargan and Ignacio Maganto

(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

The LA Galaxy have waived veteran defender Dan Gargan and second-year midfielder Ignacio Maganto, the club announced Monday.

Gargan signed with the team before the 2014 season. He had a breakout year in 2014 during which he had career highs in total appearances (29), starts (27) and assists (five). He earned a contract extension after the season, helping the Galaxy capture its fifth MLS Cup. The 33-year-old defender made 54 MLS appearances for the Galaxy and started 20 games last season. However, he only had one MLS start in the final three months of the season (a 5-2 loss to Portland at home on Oct. 18).

Maganto was drafted by the Galaxy with the 21st pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and played in 13 matches during his rookie season when the team struggled with injuries and international call ups during the summer. He scored one goal and tallied two assists while starting six games, but Sebastian Lletget’s emergence in the midfield sent Maganto back to the bench. Maganto made appearances for Galaxy II last year.

The Galaxy play the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday against Santos Laguna at 7 p.m. before starting the MLS season on March 6 at home against DC United. L.A. has 26 of its 28 roster spots filled, with 2016 SuperDraft pick Josh Turnley still unsigned.

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NBCSN EPL Weekend Video Preview: BPL leaders Leicester face Norwich at 7 a.m. Saturday, Arsenal play Man Utd at 6 a.m. Sunday

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Galaxy on-field chemistry progressing after CCL draw

AP Photo

AP Photo

For the first time in his professional career, A.J. DeLaGarza is without Omar Gonzalez. The old college teammates made for a lockdown defensive pairing when they played together for the Galaxy at central defense.

DeLaGarza has a new partner in the backline this season in Jelle Van Damme, who was impressive in his official Galaxy debut. Van Damme was an imposing physical presence on defense for L.A. against Santos, clearing crosses and winning balls with his head. The Belgian defender even got possibly the Galaxy’s best shot of the night as his first-minute header was saved by a diving Santos goalkeeper. Continue reading “Galaxy on-field chemistry progressing after CCL draw” »

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VIDEO: Arena, Keane, Kennedy, de Jong, Van Damme on CCL draw

(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

The LA Galaxy were mainly encouraged after their scoreless draw against Santos Laguna on Wednesday. It’s early in the season and the team was content with its defensive performance, especially the games from Dan Kennedy, Nigel de Jong and Jelle Van Damme. Here’s some video from head coach Bruce Arena and players:

 

Bruce Arena

Continue reading “VIDEO: Arena, Keane, Kennedy, de Jong, Van Damme on CCL draw” »

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Arrive early for Galaxy’s CCL quarterfinal against Santos Laguna

stubhubThe LA Galaxy advise fans attending Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match at StubHub Center to arrive early to beat traffic and grab parking.

It’s a school night at Cal State-Dominguez Hills, so there will be limited parking available. Fans are encouraged to carpool or take Uber. Those who don’t arrive by 6 p.m. risk missing the beginning of the 7 p.m. match, the Galaxy advise.

Wednesday’s game against Santos Laguna is the Galaxy’s first competitive match in 2016. The team opens MLS competition on March 6 at home against DC United. Continue reading “Arrive early for Galaxy’s CCL quarterfinal against Santos Laguna” »

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ICYMI: Brazil-Ecuador, Colombia-Paraguay and Mexico-Jamaica to play Copa America Centenario games at Rose Bowl this summer

centenariologo

The draw for the 16-team tournament that will be held in the U.S. for the first time ever was Sunday.

The Rose Bowl hosts three first-round fixtures: Brazil vs. Ecuador Saturday, June 4; Colombia vs. Paraguay Tuesday, June 7; and Mexico vs. Jamaica Thursday, June 9.

A complete schedule is here.

Full details and ticket information is here.

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Watch the lowlights: Seattle Sounders splash and thrash LA Galaxy 4-0 in final preseason game

rain

Lineups:

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears (Damion Lowe), Brad Evans – captain (Zach Scott 63′), Chad Marshall (Roberto Chen), Joevin Jones (Dylan Remick); Osvaldo Alonso (Cristian Roldan), Erik Friberg (Aaron Kovar), Andreas Ivanschitz; Jordan Morris (88′), Nelson Valdez (Victor Mansaray), Clint Dempsey (Darwin Jones)

LA Galaxy – Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers (Oscar Sorto), Daniel Steres (Dan Gargan), Jelle Van Damme (A.J. DeLaGarza), Ashley Cole (Dave Romney); Giovani dos Santos (Jose Villareal), Nigel De Jong (Garcia), Steven Gerrard (Baggio Husidic), Emmanuel Boateng (Sebastian Lletget); Robbie Keane (Mike Magee), Gyasi Zardes (Alan Gordon)

Strangely, this video is only available on the Seattle Sounders’ YouTube channel, but not the Galaxy’s. I wonder why?

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