The struggling Galaxy defense is about to get a major boost in the form of last season's MLS Defender of the Year.
The LA Galaxy announced that the club has activated 2011 MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez from the Disabled List.Gonzalez, who has been out since tearing his left ACL in January, is now eligible to make his 2012 debut on Wednesday when the Galaxy hosts the Philadelphia Union at The Home Depot Center.
Gonzalez suffered the injury on Jan. 4 during the first training session of his offseason loan with German club FC Nurnberg. He returned to the U.S. a few days later and underwent surgery. The fourth-year defender is a two-time MLS All-Star and two-time member of the MLS Best XI.
The club also announced that forward Adam Cristman has announced his retirement from professional soccer after six seasons in MLS due to concussion issues.
“The concussions I have suffered this year have forced me to retire. While this is not the way I wanted to leave the game, I am excited for what the future holds as I transition into the next phase of my life,” Cristman said.
Cristman was a fourth-round pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. He was a finalist for the 2007 Rookie of the Year award, and went on to play for Kansas City and D.C. United before coming to the Galaxy prior to the 2011 season.
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