LA Galaxy's Giovani dos Santos won't attend Copa America matches
LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos says he has no plans to attend any of Mexico's Copa America Centenario matches this month, despite his team's 16-day break.
Dos Santos declined an invitation from Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio to play in the anniversary event,which will be held from June 3-26 across the United States. El Tri debut against Uruguay on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.
"I am going to stay here [in Los Angeles] and rest," Dos Santos told ESPN's Rigo Cervantez."I think I have played enough minutes this month, after a long time without playing, so my body is asking for rest and recharge. I want to return [from the break] at 100 percent."
Dos Santos said he would follow his countrymates on TV.
"I am very much a football fan, but I prefer to watch the matches on TV, relaxed in my house so that I can see the replays," he said. "Of course I will be watching with my dog, she is a French bulldog named Boo."
.@AJD_20 on 0-0 draw with @SportingKC: "We didn't execute what we wanted to do."#LAvSKChttps://t.co/dMxpbTvobS
- LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 3, 2016
The Galaxy managed just one shot in a 0-0 tie with Sporting Kansas City on Thursday night.They have lost just once in their last 11 matches, and their two losses all season are tied for the fewest in MLS.
But they're winless in four straight, and with four draws in their last six games, they've been unable to climb higher than fourth in the Western Conference standings heading into this break.
"For us the draw was bad because we knew we really needed the three points today and that is why we are a little disappointed," said Dos Santos.
Steven Gerrard sat out with a strained hamstring for the Galaxy, who already were without Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes on international duty. But Kansas City also played without U.S. national teamers Graham Zusi and Matt Besler.
"It was a complicated match and for me personally, I didn't get much contact with the ball," Dos Santos said. "We were too anxious but there are matches like that. It is always tough to play without guys like Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes or Steven Gerrard, but that is the way it is. We need to keep working and think about our next match."
LA Galaxy return from the break on June 18 and travel to face Toronto FC.
Guadalajara forward Omar Bravo and Dos Santos' brother, Jonathan (Villarreal), were on hand for Thursday night's match as well as Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela. None of the three will play for this edition of El Tri at Copa America.
