Ruiz Returns to the Galaxy After Absence

Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz, who is tied for Major League Soccer’s lead in goals scored, has returned from an unexcused absence that caused him to miss the Galaxy’s 2-1 win over San Jose on Saturday.

Galaxy officials initially blamed the Guatemalan Soccer Federation for Ruiz’s absence, saying that it did not honor its commitment to return the high-scoring forward within 24 hours of its World Cup qualifying match at Honduras on Sept. 8. Ruiz had suffered an injury and reportedly wanted Guatemalan doctors to examine him.

But the Galaxy has since learned that although Ruiz did suffer an injured hamstring, he stayed in Guatemala so he could visit a 5-year-old daughter.

“He was very upbeat and honest,” Galaxy Coach Steve Sampson said. “He hadn’t seen his daughter in some time, he was injured and he wasn’t going to play Saturday [against San Jose] anyway, so he stayed. Obviously, it wasn’t the right decision.”

Sampson would not say whether Ruiz had been fined -- “We’re going to keep that within the family,” he said -- and no suspension was issued. Whether Ruiz will travel with the Galaxy to Dallas for Saturday’s game will be decided Thursday and depends on his health.

“Carlos does have an injury, that we have confirmed,” Sampson said.