CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy will be getting back one of their stars on Sunday when they take on the Seattle Sounders (4 pm ET; ESPN; MLS LIVE in Canada), as Giovani dos Santos is set to return from injury.
Dos Santos missed the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw against Sporting Kansas City with hip flexor tightness. He worked back into the squad slowly this week, and is ready to get back on the field.
“I feel very good,” dos Santos said after practice Friday. “I’ve been training all week. I feel 100 percent. I feel no pain. I’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
For the Galaxy, who currently sit four points behind Supporters' Shield leaders FC Dallas, there is no mistaking the importance of picking up a win. A victory would see LA join Dallas in clinching a postseason berth in the cutthroat Western Conference, and could help the Galaxy close the gap in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
Getting into the playoffs is, however, the sole focus for dos Santos, who had quite the hot foot before his injury. The Mexican had scored six goals in his last five appearances prior to missing the match in Kansas City.
“I just came back to help the team win three points," said dos Santos. "For me the important thing is the team, I’m just going to play to help to them.”
While Bruce Arena is excited to get back the prolific goalscorer, he is still taking a measured approach withLandon Donovan.
“[Donovan]’s getting better," said Arena. "He’s been rushed into things. He’s going on the third week maybe. He’s literally in preseason. His minutes are going to be limited over the next couple games, but he’s making improvements.”
While Arena wouldn’t dismiss the possibility of Donovan starting down the road, it appears that the veteran attacker will continue to come off the bench for now. That worked fine against Sporting Kansas City, where Donovan was able to come in and score his first goal since returning to the Galaxy.
