Hendrickson Might Not Answer the Bell
The Galaxy has yet to produce a knockout punch this season, which is perhaps why the team had undefeated light-heavyweight boxer Julio Gonzalez training with it at the Rose Bowl Friday morning.
On the other hand, perhaps Gonzalez, who fights Roy Jones Jr. for the undisputed division title at Staples Center on July 28, was there to give a few tips to Ezra Hendrickson about keeping his guard up.
Hendrickson, a defender, might not start today against the New York/New Jersey MetroStars after suffering a cut lip Thursday night in an altercation, details of which the Galaxy declined to disclose.
Apparently, the incident was not soccer-related and not serious enough to result in any arrests, but did injure Hendrickson enough to leave his starting role in jeopardy.
The MetroStars will be without forward Clint Mathis on the field, but not on the sideline. The U.S. national team striker, who underwent surgery in Los Angeles Tuesday to repair a torn knee ligament, will be at the Rose Bowl for today’s game between his current and former MLS clubs. Mathis had a goal and an assist when the MetroStars defeated the Galaxy, 2-0, at Giants Stadium on May 12.
Today
VS. NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
METROSTARS, 1, ESPN
Site--Rose Bowl.
Radio--KXMX (1190), KTNQ (1020, Spanish).
Records--Galaxy 6-4-4, MetroStars 6-4-3.
Record vs. MetroStars--0-1.
Update--Halfway through the regular season, the second-place Galaxy trails the San Jose Earthquakes by three points in the Western Division. It is coming off a 3-3 tie at the Miami Fusion in a game where it allowed a two-goal lead to evaporate. A victory today would make it the first MLS team to win 100 regular-season games. Cobi Jones, Brian Mullan and Danny Pena are nursing injuries but could play. Forward Marvin Quijano might start in place of Luis Hernandez, who was not expected to return from Mexico until late Friday. The Galaxy is 4-1-1 at home, the third-best home record in MLS. The MetroStars, coached by former Galaxy coach Octavio Zambrano, started 6-1-1 but are on a five-game winless streak and have not won on the road (0-3-2). Danny Villanueva Sr. and his son, Danny Jr., the Galaxy’s former general manager, will be among 50 persons honored at today’s match for their contributions to professional soccer in Los Angeles.
Tickets--(877) 342-5299.
