Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, January 31, 2012

U.S. Open Cup rematch on the horizon
It will be the third round of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup all over again when Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy take on Charlie Naimo's Los Angeles Blues on Friday, Feb. 3. Kickoff and location are to be determined.

This match kicks-off an eight-match preseason junket for LA. On Feb. 7, the G's face the Portland Timbers before taking on the Houston Dynamo in an MLS Cup 2011 rematch on Feb. 10.

Perhaps it is only a fitting coincidence that Los Angeles takes on the Montreal Impact on Valentine's Day. And while this match will not count in the SuperClasico scheme of things, LA and Chivas USA clash on Feb. 16.

A piece of preseason silverware is up for grabs soon after.

Late in February, the Galaxy travel to Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. for the Desert Diamond Cup. On Feb. 22, they take on the New England Revolution. On Feb. 25, LA take on their first opponent on the league schedule in Real Salt Lake before wrapping up the round-robin on Feb. 29 against the New York Red Bulls.

Depending on the results of the round-robin, an additional game could be played on Mar. 3 before LA return to CONCACAF Champions League play on Mar. 7 against Toronto FC.    

Wait A Minute...Have I Seen You Before?

A.J. DeLaGarza, Michael Stephens and Brian Perk had been away to national team obligations and were met by the new faces for LA.

“I felt like one of the new guys,” said DeLaGarza to LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “We have a little bit of a different team; a lot of guys are missing right now.”

“You don’t recognize more than you know,” Stephens added. “I’m sure it will take a few days to get everybody’s name down, but everybody seems cool out here the first day.”

For Arena, it was time for a bit of Welcome Back, Kotter.

“It’s certainly good to bring back our players with a little bit more experience,” Arena said. “They’re probably a little bit ahead of our group fitness-wise. Two weeks, three weeks in those camps is a plus, but it doesn’t change them a whole lot as players.

“We know what they do well.”