Omar Gonzalez returns, Adam Cristman retires for Galaxy
The Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez, Major League Soccer’s defender of the year in 2011, was activated Tuesday and could make his season debut Wednesday, less than seven months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.
At the same time the team announced that forward Adam Cristman, limited to two games this season because of concussion-related issues, is retiring after six MLS seasons.
Gonzalez sustained his ACL injury during a winter training camp with FC Nuremberg of the German Bundesliga and returned to Southern California for surgery in mid-January. He was expected to miss as many as nine months but returned to training in May. He played 45 minutes in a practice game with the Galaxy’s U-18 team Monday and could suit up for Wednesday’s MLS match with the Philadelphia Union.
Cristman, 27, joined the Galaxy before the 2011 season, coming over in a trade with DC United.
“The concussions I have suffered this year have forced me to retire,” he said. “While this is not the way I wanted to leave the game, I am excited for what the future holds as I transition into the next phase of my life.”
Cristman appeared in 81 games during his career with the Galaxy, DC United, the Kansas City Wizards and the New England Revolution, starting 47 times and scoring 13 goals with eight assists.
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