Depleted Earthquakes Still a Concern for Galaxy
Injuries have so devastated the San Jose Earthquakes the last two weeks that the team’s general manager briefly considered suiting up for tonight’s game against the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.
“Stranger things have happened,” said Alexi Lalas, whose credentials as a player far surpass those of any other GM in Major League Soccer.
Instead, Lalas made a trade Thursday, acquiring attacking midfielder Mark Chung from the Colorado Rapids to help make up for the loss of four starters to injury.
* Defender Craig Waibel tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a scrimmage against Santa Clara on May 10. He underwent surgery Tuesday and is out for the season.
* Defender Troy Dayak, a 1992 Olympian who intended to retire after this season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee playing against FC Dallas on May 14, ending his playing career six months early.
* Winger Brian Mullan broke a bone in his left ankle against FC Dallas and will be out four to six weeks.
* Forward Brian Ching, the team’s leading scorer with four goals and two assists, strained his right hamstring in the Dallas game and also is sidelined for four to six weeks.
“Any time you lose the caliber of players that they’ve lost it’s going to take a toll on your team,” Galaxy and former San Jose defender Todd Dunivant said Friday. “It’s awful. It’s a huge blow to that team.
“But at the same time, they have enough quality players who can come in. We’re not expecting an easy game by any means.”
Landon Donovan, who also will be playing against his former team, says the Earthquakes will be weaker on the bench but not on the field.
“They’ve lost a lot of their depth,” he said, “but it’s still a good team.”
GALAXY TONIGHT
vs. San Jose, 7, FSN West
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 830, 1540.
Records -- Galaxy 4-2, San Jose 2-1-4.
Record vs. San Jose (2004) -- 2-1-1.
Update -- Midweek victories by FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake dropped the Galaxy to second place in the Western Conference and San Jose to fourth. Los Angeles, trying to rebound from a 2-1 defeat at Real Salt Lake, leads the overall series, 20-9-5. San Jose, on a four-game unbeaten run, leads the league in tied games.
