CARSON, Calif. -- Days after captaining Mexico to a 1-0 victory over Panama outside Chicago, Giovani dos Santos is back with the LA Galaxy as they prepare to take on the Houston Dynamo on Sunday as part of the Final Push to the Playoffs (5:00 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
The short turnaround wasn’t bothering him, as he talked to reporters at StubHub Center on Friday after his first full training after returning to the team on Wednesday.
“I feel good,” dos Santos said. “Just happy to be back with the team. I had two days of recovery, and today I trained the full time with the team and I feel good for Sunday.”
With the LA Galaxy missing Steven Gerrard and possibly Robbie Keane due to injuries, dos Santos will be called on to step up in a leadership role. So far this season, the 27-year-old has thrived in those situations.
In his time with Mexico, his first stint with the national team since the 2015 Gold Cup, not only was dos Santos named captain, but also picked up a goal and an assist in the wins against Panama and New Zealand.
While he was honored to be given the armband for his country, dos Santos is more interested in keeping his form and leadership going for his club.
“It was a very special moment for me to be the captain. We won the two games. It’s been a very good week for me. I came back with more confidence," he said.
“It’s something I don’t worry about. I think every single player on the pitch has to be a leader. In this team we have a lot of that.”
The Galaxy have already qualified for the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, which makes the upcoming games at the Houston Dynamo and home vs. FC Dallas on Decision Day all about knockout round seeding. LA can't climb into the top-two in the West, but they could potentially clinch the conference's third seed depending on Sunday's results.
Things can still change in a hurry, but dos Santos isn’t worried.
“The team is ready for these two games. I think everyone has been working very hard this week, and I think everyone’s in good shape for Sunday.”
While the end of the MLS regular season and Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs are the primary focus, there is of course the beginning of the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying in November, including a US-Mexico showdown in Columbus. When asked if this friendly performance means he’s for sure in that squad, dos Santos played it cool.
“Obviously it would be a dream to play again with my national team in a very special game against the United States," he said. "I will do my best with the club, hopefully I get the call from Mexico.”
But has there been any ribbing between him and longtime US national teamer and recently un-retired LA teammate Landon Donovan?
“Not yet. Maybe when it gets closer we’re gonna talk about it, but not yet.”
