Galaxy opens preseason training camp with revamped roster
The Galaxy opened its preseason training camp at StubHub Center on Friday with a considerable number of changes to its roster.
Of the 31 players on the Galaxy’s roster at the end of the 2013 Major League Soccer season, 23 were scheduled to return for the upcoming season.
The eight not returning either because they left the club or were not offered new contracts are midfielders Colin Clark, Laurent Courtois, Hector Jimenez, Pablo Mastroeni and Michael Stephens; goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, defender Sean Franklin and forward Jose Villarreal.
Franklin was chosen by DC United in the MLS reentry draft, Jimenez was traded to the Columbus Crew, Mastroeni retired and Villarreal is on loan to Mexico’s Cruz Azul for the year.
The Galaxy also have several new players. They include forward Samuel Rosa Goncalves, known simply as Samuel, on loan from the Fluminense FC team in Brazil, and veteran forward Rob Friend, who came from TSV 1860 Munich in Germany.
The Galaxy had hoped to win its third consecutive MLS championship last year. But the club -- which finished third in the Western Conference with a 15-11-8 record -- lost in the conference semifinals to Real Salt Lake.
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