Where the first day of last year's training camp featured was more like a first day at school in that everyone was just getting to know one another, today's proceedings were a lot like a reunion.
Most of the players who helped the Galaxy win the Western Conference Championship in 2009 were back in the locker room today for the first day of preseason training. Even the club's new acquisitions, Clint Mathis, Michael Stephens and the Brazilian trio of Alex, Juninho and Leonardo, have all either played for the club or trained with the club in the past.
Bruce Arena and his staff open the preseason with 26 players on the club's roster, though seven of those players were excused from today's first day of camp. David Beckham and Landon Donovan remain on loan in Europe, while the three Brazilians are still awaiting clearance to enter the country. Additionally, Todd Dunivant and Chris Klein were not in attendance but rather in New York representing their fellow teammates as part of the MLS Players Union's collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
That left a group of 20 players at The Home Depot Center this afternoon, including Donovan Ricketts, who has fully recovered from the broken hand that he suffered in MLS Cup 2009, reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez, fresh off his time with the U.S. National Team and the rest of the squad.
Here is the complete list of players who are in camp with the Galaxy.
Goalkeepers - Kevin Guppy (MLS League Pool Goalkeeper), Donovan Ricketts, Josh Saunders
Defenders - Alex (not arrived yet), Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant (not arrived yet), Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Yohance Marshall, Leonardo (not arrived yet).
Midfielders - David Beckham (on loan), Chris Birchall, Juninho (not arrived yet), Jovan Kirovski, Chris Klein (not arrived yet), Dema Kovalenko, Eddie Lewis, Clint Mathis, Michael Stephens.
Forwards - Tristan Bowen, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan (on loan), Alecko Eskandarian, Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Mike Magee.
That means that only five players from the Galaxy's roster at the end of the 2009 season are no longer with the club. Stefani Miglioranzi was selected by Philadelphia in the Expansion Draft in November, Kyle Patterson and Julian Valentin were waived that month as well, while Leonard Griffin and Tony Sanneh were not invited to this year's camp.
We'll have a bunch of photos from today up in a bit, as well as perhaps some interviews with a few of the guys.
Monday, January 25, 2010
20 Players in Attendance at the First Day of Training Camp
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8 comments:
thanks for the Brazilian update and for the pictures that are soon to come what happen to Israel sassy ? not invited ?
Very much appreciate the training update as pre-season now starts for the 2010 MLS season. Absolutely relieved to hear that Sir Don's injury has recovered well. I hope that the injuries picked up by Sean and AJ from last November have also healed - and, are now able to play, train, and exert back at the necessary levels. Great to know that Clint and Mike (our recent pick-ups) have also reported in.
Quite honestly, my hope is that the connective playing, the movement and shooting accuracy, and, the assisting-under-pressure of Jovan, Alan, Bryan, Eddie all improve considerably. Yes, I know it's so much easier to say and "criticize" than to actually perform under actual game situations - but, still... I'm really hoping GM-HC Bruce and HA Dave raises their expectation and performance bar much more since they have already allowed a full year for these players to train with each other.
good news on Ricketts recovery :)
Eski still seems out (casual clothes, instead of G's gear)
hopefully Klein and Duni can help make a good new CBA for both, the MLS and the Players Union.
thanks for the roster and infos.
very much appreciated.
btw not invited means, cut, waived, let go ?
Ben
where is sesay?
Izzy where you at?
I think The Galaxy will have a strong team this year. With another year with Bruce & co. & added Depth, I think they will gel better & be more confident. I think that they will make the playoffs. The season starts in about 2 months from now!
The fact that Eskandarian is wearing street clothes in the gym, rather than galaxy clothes, would seem to suggest that he will be inactive. This, coupled with the fact that he is accident-prone, behooves the HC/GM to seek out an experienced forward from the soccer universe.
My three favorite people: Esky, Clint, and DEMA!!!
Thanks for the picture. :)
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