LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan went down in the 81 minute of the Galaxy's match against Real Salt Lake, lying face down on the pitch for several minutes before medical staff went out to get him. He was able to leave the pitch without the stretcher, and didn't walk to the locker room until after the final whistle.
Until tests are done he won't know the extent of his injury, but he seemed unable to put pressure on his left knee. It was a scene very similar to the one last Saturday where A.J. DeLaGarza had to be helped off the pitch in Colorado. The only word given after the match was that Donovan didn't feel good.
The good news is that it's not a reaggravation of Donovan's hamstring injury from August, however Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States national team is certainly going to sleep restlessly tonight not knowing is Donovan will be available for the two World Cup Qualifiers over the weekend. The United States play in Kansas City on Friday in a must win match against Quatemala.
Of course, the Galaxy lost their own must win match against Salt Lake. Already down A.J. DeLaGarza, it's going to be very difficult to get points in San Jose is Donovan is out as well. Seattle could be out of reach by the time they come to The Home Depot Center, with not only their match against Portland tomorrow but a match in hand as well.
The Galaxy are guaranteed a playoff spot, but right now the odds suggest the Galaxy will be hosting either Vancouver or FC Dallas for a shot at playing an aggregate series with San Jose. The odds, as they say, aren't exactly in their favor.