Davies is among those back to face Galazy
Feistiness, determination and even a goal or two. Charlie Davies was back to his familiar self Thursday, even if it was just a short-sided game in practice. But his full participation was a good sign that he’s on track to return for D.C. United’s most anticipated regular-season match of the year, a visit from the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-1).
After scoring in each of his first two games with United, Davies (three goals) was a late scratch for last weekend’s trip to Colorado with what was described as a minor groin injury. On Thursday, he said he was 100 percent.
“Fatigue in the muscle and a little tweak, but I needed that necessary rest,” Davies said. “That’s what really helps.”
| Up Next |
| Galaxy at D.C. United |
| Where » RFK Stadium |
| When » Saturday, 7:30 p.m. |
After consecutive weeks of lineup rotation, United (1-2-0) will also be aided by multiple other returning players. Clyde Simms (right calf strain) has been training all week, while Dejan Jakovic and Perry Kitchen are expected to recreate the same central defensive pairing that D.C. United used in its season-opening win over Columbus. The only absentee from United’s first-choice back line could be right back Jed Zayner (left hamstring).
Kitchen is returning from Guatemala, where the U.S. under-20 national team was shockingly eliminated from the CONCACAF championship on Wednesday by the host nation, and Jakovic will be back after serving a red card suspension last week.
“We’re building right now, and the team is doing extremely well, possessing real well in games,” said United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who has his eye on the starting job after a strong debut in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup qualifying win over Philadelphia. “We’re having our stretches during games where we’re dominating, and getting a result gives us a little more confidence with the next one.”
United last beat the Galaxy at RFK Stadium in 2008. The teams settled for a scoreless draw in 2009, and Los Angeles took a 2-1 victory last year.
“It’s an amazing chance,” Davies said of his first opportunity to experience the rivalry for himself.
“L.A.’s looking good,” Jakovic said about the game, which will not be televised locally. “They’re definitely beatable. They acquired [Juan Pablo] Angel, and you’ve always got to keep an eye on him. He’s good in the air. You’ve got [David] Beckham serving, and of course Landon [Donovan] is all over the place. It’s going to be a good matchup.”
