Unless there's a last-minute surprise, David Beckham and Landon Donovan will play in San Diego against the Tijuana Xolos this week.
"We are bringing our full roster," said Patrick Donley, director of communications of Major League Soccer's L.A. Galaxy.
The Galaxy will take on the Xoloitzcuintles de Tijuana in an exhibition match at Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego on Wednesday night.
The game affords local fans a rare opportunity to see two players who became soccer icons with their respective national teams
Donovan, the Galaxy's and U.S. captain, is the two-time consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player.
Beckham, who for a decade was the face of the English national team, can still play the game in winter with European clubs and in spring and summer with the Galaxy.
The team will also be fielding standout players such as Colombian Juan Pablo Angel and Brazilian Juninho.
The Galaxy's coach is Bruce Arena, who coached the United States in the 1998 and 2006 World cups.
The Xolos, the defending champions in Mexico's Liga de Ascenso or second division, see this as an opportunity to measure their skill against players with international experience.
"We are very excited to play against Club Tijuana in San Diego, an important market to our organization and a team that we've wanted to play for a long time," said Tom Payne, the Galaxy's president of operations. "It is also a great match to end our preseason against a team of proven quality."
Club Tijuana is coached by former Club América and Mexican national team player, Joaquin del Olmo, who led his team to the league title in his first season as coach during the 2010 Apertura tournament.
Led by team captain Javier Gandolfi, goalkeeper Adrián Zermeño and forward Raúl Enríquez, the Xolos are one step from advancing to Mexico's top league.
Gandolfi, a defender from Argentina, and Zermeño, who played eight seasons with Toluca, are quality players who welcome an opportunity match their skill against the Galaxy.
This will be the Galaxy's first game at Torero Stadium, which was built in 1961. It is the home of the Toreros Men's and Women's soccer teams, as well as the school's American football team. The stadium seats about 6,000.
The Galaxy begins MLS regular season play March 15 against the Seattle Sounders.
The Xolos are deep into their season in the 2011 Clausura Tournament. If they win the title, they will be promoted to the Primera División, Mexico's elite league.
Game Day
What: Exhibition soccer
Who: L.A. Galaxy vs. Xolos de Tijuana
Where: USD Torero Stadium
When: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Tickets $25 to $65
Tickets: 619-260-7550
