LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has tested positive for swine flu, although the team is optimistic he can play Saturday night.

Donovan will be evaluated by a doctor Friday and Saturday, the Galaxy said. Donovan, David Beckham and Chris Birchall were all given the day off from training Friday after returning from games with their national teams.
The Galaxy are home Saturday night against the Seattle Sounders.
“We’re still hoping he’ll be available and ready to go,” team spokesman Justin Pearson said. “Even Landon said it hasn’t hit him as hard as the normal flus have hit him.”
SI.com first reported Donovan’s condition Thursday night. He told the Web site he began to feel “real bad” when he joined the U.S. national team in Miami on Sunday.
“They took a swab from my nose and confirmed it, so that was that,” he said.
SI.com said Donovan learned of the diagnosis Thursday, the day after he played the whole game in the United States’ 2-1 loss at Mexico in a World Cup qualifier.
Donovan is not infectious, Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena told the Los Angeles Times. Arena said Donovan is believed to have contracted the virus from two Galaxy staff members who came down with it during last weekend’s game at New England.
The team’s chiropractor and administrator have both returned to work, Pearson said.