GALAXY TODAY
Opponent--San Jose Clash.
Site--Rose Bowl, Pasadena.
Time--4:30 p.m.
Radio--KTNQ (1020).
Records--Galaxy 10-13, Clash 9-15.
Record vs. Clash--1-1
Galaxy update--Los Angeles is only five points ahead of San Jose for the fourth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference. A victory in regulation today would put the Galaxy eight points ahead with eight games to play. Conversely, a Clash victory would cut the Galaxy lead to two points with another game between the clubs set for Sept. 21 at San Jose. Los Angeles is coming off a 2-1 shootout victory over the New England Revolution on Thursday night. This will be the Galaxy’s fourth game in eight days. Forward Eduardo Hurtado will miss this afternoon’s game while on World Cup qualifying duty for Ecuador, which plays Paraguay. Also sidelined, for the third game in a row, is defender Robin Fraser, who suffered a groin injury while playing for the United States against Ecuador on Aug. 7. The Galaxy lost, 4-1, at San Jose on April 12 but defeated the Clash, 2-1 in a shootout, at the Rose Bowl on May 18.
Clash update--The key to San Jose’s chances today could be Eric Wynalda. The U.S. national team’s all-time leading goal scorer underwent a groin operation July 3 and has not played since. He is trying to regain match fitness in time for the United States-Costa Rica World Cup qualifying game Sept. 7 in Portland. “Obviously, this is a very important game for us, and if Eric can play, it could make a difference for us,†Clash Coach Brian Quinn said. “The most important thing, though, is to get him healthy.†With four goals and 10 assists, Wynalda ranks third on the team in scoring, despite having missed two-thirds of the season. San Jose is led on offense by Ronald Cerritos (eight goals, six assists) and Lawrence Lozzano (eight goals, four assists). Defender Tory Dayak will sit out today’s game because of a neck strain. The Clash is coming off a 2-1 shootout victory over the Columbus Crew last Saturday.
