In last year’s road meeting with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Freddy Adu’s dazzling left-footer in extra time secured a 1-0 win for United.
The defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy began the week with the league’s worst record. On Tuesday, Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas fired coach Steve Sampson, the same man with whom Lalas had a public spat during the World Cup in 1998 when he was a player and Sampson the coach of the U.S. national team.
Sampson’s replacement is Frank Yallop, who won two MLS Cups coaching San Jose. The former Canadian national team player was expected to take the helm in Toronto FC’s inaugural season next year.
Note: Following a heated discussion with assistant coach Mark Simpson and head coach Peter Nowak, D.C. defender David Stokes (Hylton) was sent to the locker room in the middle of United’s practice Thursday. Stokes, who has been battling a lingering quadriceps injury, had been working United trainers while most of the team participated in a full-field scrimmage.
“They felt he would be more productive there than continuing what he was doing on the field,” said United spokesman Doug Hicks.
Stokes has yet to make a first-team appearance this season. He played 62 minutes in last weekend’s reserve match against New England.
D.C. United (7-1-3) at Los Angeles Galaxy (2-8-1)
Where: Home Depot Center,
Carson, Calif.
When: Sunday, 8 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
