CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane remains doubtful for this Sunday’s clash with New York Red Bulls as he looks to recover from a groin strain.
Keane has participated in full training this week but left practice before the start of media availability on Thursday. The 34-year-old has missed out on the club’s last two games since suffering the strain during the latter stages of LA’s defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC earlier this month.
"He has been in full training on and off this week," Bruce Arena said. "We'll see how he's feeling today and make those decisions [on his availability for Sunday]."
Such statements sound pretty grim considering that Arena told the media a week ago that Keane could be available for the Sporting Kansas City. So the question remains, does Arena think there's a chance that Keane gets on the field against the Red Bulls?
Well, the Galaxy head coach channeled movie hero Lloyd Christmas for his answer.
"Do I see any chance?." Arena asked the press. "Well, did you see "Dumb and Dumber?"
JOSE VILLARREAL INJURED IN U.S. U-23 GAME
LA Galaxy midfielder Jose Villarreal was forced to exit the U.S. Under-23's 3-0 victory over Mexico U-23's on Wednesday with a left hamstring strain, although the injury forced him from the match, the midfielder is confident that his strain will not put him on the shelf for an extended period of time.
"I just felt it thighten up, and I came off to prevent [the injury] from getting worse. It's no big deal," Villarreal said after the victory. "It might have been a bit early to get back on the field, but I felt fine in training this week. ... It's disappointing and it sucks that I couldn't play more minutes in front of my hometown crowd but my well-being comes first. I'll be back."
Villarreal was not in training with the Galaxy on Thursday but head coach Bruce Arena had a few words of criticism for the U.S. U-23 training staff.
"I don't know the circumstances," Arena said. "But with him coming off a hamstring injury, to come onto the field without a warm-up probably wasn't the smartest thing."
TODD DUNIVANT DEALING WITH THIGH BRUISE
Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant will likely need another week to make his return to the field as he deals with a bruise on his left thigh.
Dunivant has endured the bruise since the early stages of the Galaxy's defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC early this month. The 34-year-old was in the gameday roster for the Galaxy's clash with Seattle Sounders FC but was left off for last week's match against Sporting Kansas City.
"It's finally feeling better. I'm finally able to do some running and perform some ball work," said Dunivant. "I'm hoping to be ready by next week but we'll see."
