Pena Returns to Starter’s Role

The last 12 months have been frustrating for the Galaxy’s Danny Pena, but today’s match against the Crew at Columbus, Ohio, could mark a turning point for the veteran midfielder.

This afternoon, he becomes a starter again, at least for the next month or so.

After playing 90 Major League Soccer games in his first three seasons, Pena played only 14 last season before torn ligaments in his right knee in June sidelined him for the rest of the year.

Pena, who turns 33 in two weeks, suffered a couple of setbacks in his haste to return and, as a result, missed the Galaxy’s victory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in January.

Now, with midfielder Simon Elliott having left Thursday for New Zealand to take part in that country’s World Cup 2002 qualifying campaign, Pena steps back into the starting spot he once held.

“It’s obviously been a difficult year, dating back to my injury last year,” Pena said. “The team has done well in my absence. They’ve had a lot of success, so it’s kind of hard for me to complain about not being in the starting lineup.

“But yet I’m a veteran, I’ve been here going on five years now, and we’ve had success with me in the lineup as well. So I just try to be patient.

“I’ve had some real bad days. I’ve had some good days. I’d like to think it’s getting better. I try to bring a good attitude to training every day. I’m always there to support my teammates no matter what. . . .

“Right now, my focus has just been to work hard, stay fit and stay healthy. I know there’s an opportunity coming, but it’s an opportunity in someone else’s absence rather than an opportunity being given for the hard work that I’ve put in.”

Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid appreciates that distinction.

“Obviously, Simon’s a very important player for our team,” he said, “but I have a lot of confidence in Danny Pena. He’s an experienced player. It [Elliott’s absence] gives him an opportunity to show what he can do.”

Schmid said Pena and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman--relegated to a backup role by the play of unbeaten starter Matt Reis--have handled being on the bench well.

“Danny’s been fine,” he said. “Kevin’s been fine. They’re professionals. They go about their business, they work hard and they try to leave an impression on the training field. They’re not complainers or anything like that.

“Obviously, they’re eager to play. Obviously, they’re frustrated that they’re not starting, but that’s what you’d expect them to be.

“When the opportunities come, they have to take advantage of them.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TODAY

AT COLUMBUS, 1 P.M. PDT

Telemundo (KVEA, Ch. 52; Spanish)

Site--Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio.

Radio--KXMX (1190), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).

Records--Galaxy 5-3-2, Crew 2-3-3.

Record vs. Crew (2000)--1-0-1.

Update--The Galaxy, unbeaten in its last three games, is one point out of first place in the Western Division. The Crew has been playing under assistant coach Greg Andrulis since Tom Fitzgerald was fired May 17.