Galaxy, Chivas USA set to open training camps
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Newly re-signed midfielder David Beckham is expected to join 15 Galaxy teammates for physical and other testing Saturday before leading Major League Soccer’s defending champions in their first workouts of preseason training camp Monday at the Home Depot Center.
Beckham, who announced Thursday he had reached agreement on a two-year, $15-million deal with the Galaxy, will be attending the start of training camp for the first time in his six years with the team.
Coach Bruce Arena said the team will spend the first week of camp concentrating on fitness training before taking the field on Jan. 30.
Chivas USA, which shares the Home Depot Center with the Galaxy, will open its training camp Monday in Oxnard.
However both teams will be without several key players for most of the training period. Among those missing from the Galaxy camp are Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, A.J.De La Garza, Brian Perk and Michael Stephens, who are playing either intentionally with a U.S. national team or overseas on loan.
Among the players on the Chivas roster likely to miss the start of training are defender Heath Pearce, who is with the U.S. national team, Jorge Villafana, who has been playing with the U.S. U-23 team, as well as midfielders Miller Bolanos and Oswaldo Minda and defender David Junior Lopes, who are waiting for immigration documents. Bolandos and Minda are from Ecuador; Lopes is Brazilian.
Chivas USA is scheduled to scrimmage the Ventura Fusion on Jan. 27.
The MLS season opens in March.
ALSO:
Injuries give Jermaine Jones a shot with U.S. national team
Pacquiao promoter says 50-50 split with Mayweather a must
The Clippers’ Caron Butler is out with a knee injury
-- Kevin Baxter