Injured USA Players Take In MLS Playoffs, Get Tribute

CARSON, Calif. -- The towering presence in the Galaxy locker room never suited up for the squad, nor for any Major League Soccer team, but defender Oguchi Onyewu was on hand to congratulate his AC Milan teammate, David Beckham, as well as his USA national teammate, Landon Donovan, on their successful advancement to the Western Conference finals.

Onyewu was on crutches during his brief visit, as he is still recuperating from surgery on a ruptured patellar tendon. He is expected to be out at least three more months, which could put his World Cup chances in jeopardy.

Though he ducked out when most of the media descended on the scene, Onyewu was laughing and joking with the Galaxy players. He is familiar with many of them through national team experience.

Eddie Lewis, Chris Klein and Gregg Berhalter, who all took the field for the Galaxy in the win, have all shared game time with Onyewu in matches for the United States.

Donovan paid tribute during the game to another USA teammate, Charlie Davies. Davies was badly injured in an October car accident that may endanger his career, but Donovan has expressed high hopes for his recovery.

"I'm still hopeful that Charlie makes it back," Donovan said earlier this month. "We'll see if he plays again, that's good - and then you take the next step and see if he can play at the World Cup. We'll see what happens."

The way Donovan recognized the young striker was to perform the preferred celebration dance of Davies - the "Stanky Legg" moves popularized by the GS Boyz. After he slotted away the winning penalty, Donovan celebrated briefly with fans, then did the move and pointed into a television camera.

Donovan left no doubt about the shout-out to Davies when he was later asked about the gesture after the match.

Watch Goal.com's video to see Donovan's response.

Goal.com


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