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MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy Announce Asia Tour 2008 Roster

February 27, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, February 27, 2008) - LA Galaxy Head Coach Ruud Gullit has brought 21 players with him to Asia for the start of Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife. David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz and Abel Xavier highlight the Galaxy roster, which will play three games during its two week tour of Asia, which began with the club's arrival in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday night.

A complete list of the Galaxy's travelling squad can be found below

LA GALAXY ASIA TOUR 2008 ROSTER BY POSITION GOALKEEPERS (2): Steve Cronin, Josh Wicks DEFENDERS (9): Celestine Babayaro, Sean Franklin, Michael Gavin, Ante Jazic, Mike Randolph, Troy Roberts, Julian Valentin, Greg Vanney, Abel Xavier. MIDFIELDERS (7): Ely Allen, Alvaro, David Beckham, Chris Klein, Brandon McDonald, Josh Tudela, Peter Vagenas FORWARDS (3): Alan Gordon, Bryan Jordan, Carlos Ruiz

While those 21 have travelled to Asia, six players have returned to Los Angeles from Hawaii ahead of the team's trip to Seoul, South Korea. Goalkeeper Charles Alamo, forwards Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan and Israel Sesay and midfielders Kelly Gray and Kevin Harmse all returned to Los Angeles prior to the remainder of the team traveling to Korea on Monday.

Donovan did not play in either game at the Pan Pacific Championship, nor did he feature in a closed door scrimmage with the Houston Dynamo on Friday after aggravating a case of patella tendonitis in his right knee. The Galaxy's leading scorer, Donovan returned to Los Angeles on Sunday and has already begun to work with the club's team doctor, Dr. Bert Mandelbaum to treat the injury. No timetable has been set for his recovery, but he is fully expected to be fit and ready for the club's season opener in Colorado on Saturday, March 29.

Edson Buddle is expected to miss approximately six weeks after suffering a dislocation of the SC joint of his right collarbone during the second half of the Galaxy's 2-1 win over Sydney FC on Saturday night. Buddle was immediately removed from that game and returned to California on Sunday to undergo further examination, which revealed that surgery will not be necessary. Buddle will have his arm in a sling for the first week before beginning the rehabilitation process.

The Galaxy's second round pick in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, Alamo suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a torn meniscus and a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee while chasing down a back pass late in the Galaxy's scrimmage victory over the Dynamo. The 23-year old San Luis Obispo native was offered a Developmental Contract by the club on Friday evening after the extent of his injury was clear and he signed with the club on Saturday. He will undergo surgery on Friday to repair his knee and is expected to miss approximately six months.

Kelly Gray, Kevin Harmse and Israel Sesay have all also returned to Los Angeles. Gray started and played the opening 66 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Gamba Osaka on Wednesday and Sesay came on for Edson Buddle in the second half of the 2-1 win over Sydney FC on Sunday, while Harmse did not play in either match.

Head Coach Ruud Gullit and the Galaxy are currently in Seoul, South Korea for the start of their Asia Tour 2008, presented by Herbalife. While in Asia, the club will play three games in two weeks, with Fox Soccer Channel broadcasting all three games either live or on tape delay. The tour opens on Saturday, March 1 when the Galaxy take on FC Seoul of the Korean K-League in Seoul. Four days later, on Wednesday, March 5, the club will take on Shanghai-Hong Kong United in Shanghai, China before rounding out the tour in Hong Kong on Sunday, March 9 against Hong Kong Union.

The complete schedule for the Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife is...

LA Galaxy Asia Tour 2008 presented by Herbalife

Date Opponent Time (local)/Location

Saturday, March 1 FC Seoul^ 4:30 p.m., Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, Korea

Sunday, March 2 *** Depart for China ***

Wednesday, March 5 Shanghai-Hong Kong United^^ 7:30 p.m., Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China

Thursday, March 6 *** Depart for Hong Kong ***

Sunday, March 9 Hong Kong Union^^^ 3 p.m., Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong

Monday, March 10 *** Return to Los Angeles ***

^ - Game to be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel starting at 11:30 p.m. (PT) on Fri., February 29

^^ - Game to be aired on Fox Soccer Channel on tape delay starting at 8 p.m. (PT) on Wed., March 5.

^^^ - Game to be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel starting at 11 p.m. (PT) on Sat., March 8.

The Galaxy opens their 13th season of play on Saturday, March 29 against the Colorado Rapids at 6:30 p.m. (PT), live on Fox Soccer Channel from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. LA will play their home opener five days later on Thursday, April 3 when they host former head coach Frank Yallop and the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center.

The 2008 MLS season is just around the corner and the LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2008 season. A non-refundable deposit secures your place for each 2008 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more! In addition to season tickets, six and ten game plans are also available. Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2008 Galaxy tickets.

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