Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Vancouver Whitecaps FC | April 2, 2016

4.2 starting XI

LA Galaxy Starting XI


Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Emmanuel Boateng, Nigel de Jong ©, Baggio Husidic, Mike Magee; Sebastian Lletget, Ariel Lassiter.


Subs


Clement Diop, Dave Romney, A.J. DeLaGarza, Rafael Garcia, Bradford Jamieson IV, Gyasi Zardes, Alan Gordon.


Lineup Notes


  • In the second away match of the season and the fourth match overall, Bruce Arena will shuffle his lineup to account for injuries and players returning from international duty. Galaxy Designated Players Robbie Keane (knee surgery), Steven Gerrard (calf) and Giovani dos Santos (leg) all miss Saturday’s match.
  • Dependable goalkeeper Brian Rowe gets the start in net in Vancouver Saturday night after featuring in all three matches for the Galaxy to start the year. Since joining LA in 2012, Rowe has played in 17 MLS matches for the club, going 8-6-3.
  • Defender Robbie Rogers gets the nod at right back Saturday, continuing in his new position after making the switch from left back, where he played since 2014. After making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 26-10-12 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
  • Bald Belgium defender Jelle Van Damme makes his third-straight MLS start for the Galaxy on Saturday against Vancouver. The versatile defender joined the Galaxy this offseason and has helped lock down the Galaxy defense that has allowed just two goals in three matches.
  • Defender Daniel Steres continues in the Starting XI, making his fourth-straight start to kick off the MLS season. The former LA Galaxy II captain, who was named Defender of the Year for Los Dos the previous two seasons, has been a stud in MLS to start the season after making his first-ever appearance in the opening match against D.C. United.
  • Defender Ashley Cole starts on the left in defense for LA Saturday. The Englishman has been one of the top defenders in MLS to start the season with stellar play from the left side. He is set to make his third MLS appearance.
  • On the right side in midfield, Emmanuel Boateng starts. Generously listed at 5’6”, the Ghanaian will not be the tallest player on the field Saturday night, but my goodness will he be among the fastest. He earns his first-ever MLS start for the Galaxy after signing this offseason.
  • In the center of the pitch, Baggio Husidic starts in place of Steven Gerrard as he recovers from a calf injury. Husidic has been a steady, reliable midfielder for the Galaxy over the past three seasons, making 61 MLS appearances since 2014.
  • Wearing the captains armband, Nigel de Jong starts alongside Husidic in the midfield. The two-time World Cup vet joined the Galaxy from A.C. Milan and will bring his many tattoos and international experience to the field to help the Galaxy dictate play.
  • On the left, April-fools loving veteran Mike Magee will start, making his fourth-straight appearance for LA since returning to the club this offseason. He scored two goals and added an assist in the team’s opening match this season.
  • Starting up top will be Da’ Boy Sebastian Lletget, who has impressed since joining LA mid-year in 2015 from English side West Ham. The Instagram-expert midfielder has notched seven goals and added an additional three assists since last season.
  • Alongside Lletget at forward will be the goal puppy Ariel Lassiter, the son of former MLS and USMNT great, goal dog Roy Lassiter. Lassiter, who led LA Galaxy II with 15 goals last year in USL play, makes his first MLS start after signing a first-team contract this offseason.


Game Notes


  • All time, the Galaxy are 8-3-2 against Vancouver and 1-2-2 at BC Place.
  • Saturday marks the first of three matchups between the Galaxy and the Whitecaps this season, with the two sides set to meet again on July 4 and Aug. 27.
  • Whitecaps FC won both meetings between the teams last season, a 2-0 win April 4 at BC Place, then a 1-0 win June 6 at StubHub Center. The Galaxy were 9-1-2 vs. Vancouver over the first 12 meetings between the teams, before last season.
  • This year, the Galaxy are 2-1-0 with seven goals for and just two against.
  • This year on the road, the Galaxy are 0-1-0 with one goal allowed. Their lone loss came in a 1-0 defeat to Colorado when Marco Pappa scored a 95th-minute goal. 


Storylines


  • How will the Galaxy look after a week in MLS play?
  • How will the adjusted lineup fare on the road at BC Place?
  • How loud can the goal puppy bark in his first-ever MLS start?
  • Can the Galaxy defense continue to perform at a high level?
  • How will the Galaxy adjust to the new turf at BC Place?
  • Will Joe Tutino say “Eh?” during the broadcast?


Quick hits



Quotable


Nigel de Jong:

  • On winning on the road: “At the end of the day it’s mentality. It doesn’t matter how good you are, it’s a mentality to win. It gives you the extra edge as a home team. We have that 12th man behind us and the right mentality when we’re at home. We have to have that when we’re away.”


Baggio Husidic:

  • “You beat them with the brain. You beat them with your knowledge of the game. That’s what we have is knowledge of the game and that beats speed every time.” 


Alan Gordon:

  • “They’ve had our number. They’re a good team. It’s going to be a real tough game up there. You have to stay organized. They exposed us with their speed last year. [Kekuta] Manneh had a couple of goals last year, one-on-one with our defenders. We have to do a good job of supporting and not letting the game open up too much by staying.”