Galaxy may be forced to use third-string goalkeeper vs. Sounders

There’s at least a chance the Seattle Sounders will face the LA Galaxy’s third-stringer in goal on Sunday as both Clement Diop and Brian Rowe are recovering from injuries.

Diop suffered a hip injury in Saturday’s loss to Orlando City, and although he was able to play all 90 minutes his prognosis is not very good for this week.

“He’s struggling. He was a warrior, and he fought through the injury. It swelled up on him pretty bad. It was his hip. He was barely able to board the plane,” Onalfo said on Monday, according to LAGalaxy.com. “It was touch and go whether he’d be able to fly home. He was able to board the flight, but he’s struggling. We have to look at him day to day and see how he progresses. He’s in a tough spot right now physically.”

Diop was pressed into action due to a shoulder injury Brian Rowe suffered in the first game of the season. Rowe has returned to training and was on the bench against Orlando City, but he’s not played since March 4. Rowe started 31 games in 2016, allowing 33 goals. He started all three games against the Sounders, going 1-1-1 with five goals against and one shutout.

If neither Rowe nor Diop are deemed fit, the starting job would fall to third-string goalkeeper Jon Kempin. Although this is Kempin’s eighth season in MLS, the former Sporting Kansas City Homegrown Player has just six career starts and hasn’t played in a league game since Sept. 27, 2015. In those six starts, Kempin has allowed 12 goals.