Galaxy loses Michael Stephens, Mike Magee to suspension

As if things weren’t bad enough for the Galaxy, winless since April 21 and buried in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference cellar, the team learned Friday that midfielder Michael Stephens and forward Mike Magee will miss the next game after being suspended by the league’s disciplinary committee.

Both players were also fined an undisclosed amount, Stephens for a challenge that endangered the safety of an opponent and Magee for aggravated dissent against a referee, a temper tantrum that included throwing a ball in the official’s direction in the 92nd minute of a loss to Houston.

The Galaxy next plays June 17, against the Portland Timbers at the Home Depot Center.

With midfielder Hector Jimenez already scheduled to complete a two-game suspension in that match and with forward Robbie Keane on international duty with Ireland, the Galaxy will be without two midfielders and two forwards against Portland.

Midfielder and captain Landon Donovan is expected to be back by then, however, as his stay with the U.S. national team ends June 12.

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