CARSON, Calif. – Todd Dunivant won't be available to the LA Galaxy this week after suffering an abdominal injury in last weekend's SuperClasico victory over Chivas USA, but they might get A.J. DeLaGarza back in time for Saturday's home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30 pm ET, MLS Live, TSN in Canada).
Tests confirmed Dunivant, a veteran left back who had just returned from a preseason hamstring injury, strained an abdominal muscle while making a pass in the second half of LA's 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon, head coach Bruce Arena reported following Wednesday's training session at StubHub Center.
“He's got a little bit of a strain,” Arena said. “Not available next week. We'll wait and see” if he can make it back for the game in Vancouver the following weekend.
Dunivant, who departed in the 75th minute, said after the game he felt a “sharp pain” in an abdominal muscle, that he didn't “feel great” and that “I don't go off if it's nothing. We'll see. I just hope it's not anything too bad.”
DeLaGarza suffered a badly bruised left shin and ankle after he was raked by Álvaro Saborío in a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake two-and-a-half weeks ago. He tried running last week, ran into problems, missed the SuperClasico and returned to full training Wednesday morning.
“I feel better than last week when I said I was going to play,” DeLaGarza said. “Obviously, with guys going out, myself feeling better, it's a possibility to get back in there.”
Arena was noncommittal.
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“Don't know yet,” Arena said. “We'll see how he gets through the week of training.”
The Galaxy have been dealing with backline injuries since preseason camp opened, and they've lost veteran outside back James Riley until September with a torn meniscus. DeLaGarza, who has played at right back and in central defense this season, likely will step in at left back against the Whitecaps if he's healthy enough.
“I've played center-left back since I was 14, but left back is a totally different spot but the same side of the field ...,” he said. “It's nowhere I haven't played before, so I'm somewhat comfortable with it.”
