LA Galaxy Insider

Match Preview Presented by Visit Tucson: LA Galaxy kick off 2018 preseason schedule against RSL

Cole Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. – Sigi Schmid’s 2018 LA Galaxy will take the field for the first time on Saturday when they face off against Real Salt Lake in the Tucson.


The Galaxy will play their first preseason match of the year at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson. With both teams in the midst of preseason preparations, the game will be a contest of three 30 minute periods, rather than two 45 minute halves. The game will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube, and LAGalaxy.com.  


Amid a grueling preseason camp in Arizona that has seen the team train twice a day for four of the last five days, the Galaxy believe the emphasis will be on fitness, rather than results.


“It’s exciting. Preseason is about getting the work in, getting fit, and most importantly, everyone staying healthy," goalkeeper David Bingham said. "Getting able to play with everyone on a big field is going to be a lot of fun. This is the first step toward March 4.


“Throughout my seven years as a professional and my time with the national team, it’s been the hardest camp I’ve ever been in. It’s been good though because when March 4 comes around, we’re not going to be playing catch up. We’ll be fit and ready to play."


The match will be the first opportunity for Schmid's newcomers like Bingham, forward Ola Kamara, midfielder Perry Kitchen, and defenders Rolf  Fletscher, and Jorgen Skleijvik, among others. After spending a week together under the Arizona sun, the Galaxy believe they're ready to take the field. 


“I feel very optimistic,” Baggio Husidic said. “We’ve had a lot of good additions and the group is gelling. I’m looking forward to the year."