After a 2008 campaign that was riddled with injuries, Chivas USA is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Our injured guys are getting back on the field," Chivas USA head coach Preki said. "That's the main thing right now."
While any MLS team struggles with players being hurt, the Red-and-White seemed to be cursed with particularly bad luck.
"We had a bunch of injuries last year," assistant coach Carlos Llamosa said. "Some key players were out of the game for long periods of time."
The good news is that many of Chivas USA's casualties from 2008 are back on their feet again in the 2009 preseason.
Striker Maykel Galindo spent much of last year on the sideline thanks to three separate sports hernia surgeries. After a restful offseason, the ex-Cuban international has been working in practice and may see his first minutes in this Saturday's scrimmage against the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center.
"I'm feeling much better," Galindo, who lead the team in 2007 with 12 goals, said. "I'm happy to be training with the team again. It was a long time without playing, but I am slowly regaining my shape and will be ready for the season."
Alecko Eskandarian and Jonathan Bornstein, both of whom struggled with various injuries last year, have returned to the field in high spirits.
"I feel great," Eskandarian said. "It's a night and day difference from last season."
Midfielder Sasha Victorine has been recovering from microfracture surgery and will soon return to full practices with the team.
"I'm hoping to get back out in the next week or two," Victorine said. v
At the other end of the pitch, defender Lawson Vaughn has begun knocking a ball around again. He was out for much of 2008 with problems in his left ankle, but should make a return to the Red-and-White soon. v
"We've just got to take it one game at a time," goalkeeper Zach Thornton said. "If we stay healthy, I think we're a very good team."
Preki is optimistic.
"Hopefully, as we get closer to the season, our injured guys will be ready. And I think they will be."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
