The Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy will begin training Friday in preparation for the 2015 season at StubHub Center, seeking to adapt to the absence of midfielder Landon Donovan.
Donovan, considered the greatest American male soccer player, ended his career in the Galaxy’s 2-1 overtime victory over the New England Revolution in MLS Cup 2014 Dec. 7 at StubHub Center. He is MLS’ career leader in goals and assists in the regular season and playoffs.
Donovan’s replacement, former English national team captain Steven Gerrard, will not be added to the roster until the July transfer window.
Forward Robbie Keane, the regular-season and MLS Cup MVP, is not scheduled to report until Monday, a team official said.
Forward Gyasi Zardes and defender Oscar Sorto will also be absent today, as they are training with the U.S. men’s national team in preparation for exhibitions Wednesday against Chile and Feb. 8 against Panama.
Forward Bradford Jamieson IV will also be absent as he is with the U.S. men’s under-20 national team, which is competing in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica, seeking a berth in this year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
More than 25 players are expected to report.
The Galaxy will train at StubHub Center through Feb. 10. It will depart for Ireland Feb. 11, for 10 days of training in Europe, including exhibition games Feb. 16 against the Swedish first-division team Hammarby in Stockholm and Feb. 21 against the Irish first-division team, the Shamrock Rovers F.C. in Dublin.
The Galaxy will return to Los Angeles Feb. 22. Additional preseason games in the Los Angeles area will be announced accordingly, a team official said.
The Galaxy will begin regular-season play March 6 against the Chicago Fire at StubHub Center.
—City News Service