LA Galaxy Communications

LA Galaxy Starting XI

Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Baggio Husidic, Steven Gerrard ©; Mike Magee, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Gyasi Zardes.

Subs

Dan Kennedy, Robbie Rogers, Dave Romney, Rafael Garcia, Jeff Larentowicz, Bradford Jamieson IV, Ariel Lassiter

Lineup Notes

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will make one change to the starting XI from last weekend’s match in Houston as Emmanuel Boateng replaces Sebastian Lletget, who picked up a knock late this week in training. The Galaxy have yet to start the same XI players in consecutive matches this year.
In net, goalkeeper Brian Rowe makes his seventh-straight appearance to start the 2016 season. The former UCLA star has allowed just four goals in his six appearances, good enough for a .69 GAA, the best in Major League Soccer.
A.J. DeLaGarza gets the start at right back, making his second-straight appearance in the starting XI. DeLaGarza, who is very good at snapchat and soccer, is the Galaxy’s most tenured player, making 183 appearances for the Galaxy since being drafted in 2009.
In the center of defense, bald Belgian centerback Jelle Van Damme is set to make his sixth-straight start for the Galaxy since joining the offseason. Van Damme has helped a Galaxy defense that has conceded just five goals this year, tied for the fewest in MLS.
Alongside Van Damme, defender Daniel Steres gets his seventh-straight start to kick off the 2016 season. The two-time LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year signed a first team contract this offseason and has been a stub in defense for LA. He is the only Galaxy player to play every MLS minute this season.
On the left, legendary English defender Ashley Cole gets the start. He has made five MLS starts and been arguable the best left back in the league to begin the season.
In the center of the pitch, midfielder Baggio Husidic earns his third-straight start for the Galaxy. Husidic excels at maintaining his strict vegan diet and also playing good, sound soccer. He has made 64 appearances for the Galaxy since signing ahead of the 2014 season, scoring eight goals and adding nine assists.
English midfielder Steven Gerrard dons the captain’s armband in his second-straight start since returning from an injury suffered in the Galaxy’s match vs. San Jose on March 19. Gerrard put in a masterful performance against Houston last weekend, dictating the midfield and notching a beautiful assist on Giovani dos Santos’ second goal of the match.
Out right, Galaxy hero Mike Magee earns the start. Since he scored two goals and added an assist off the bench in LA’s season-opening match, Magee has started in each match this year. The MLS vet enters Saturday’s game with 66 goals and 36 assists during his career.
Out left, speedy winger Emmanuel Boateng makes his second MLS start. What the native Ghanaian lacks in the height department, he makes up for in the speed department (note: he is short bus also very fast). He has made four MLS appearances since joining the team this offseason.
Giovani dos Santos gets the nod up top following his two goal, one assist performance last weekend versus Houston. Dos Santos’ two goals marked his first multi-goal MLS match with the Galaxy and brought his LA Galaxy total to five goals and seven assists in 13 appearances since joining last year.
Up top, Hawthorne native Gyasi Zardes is set to make his 95^th MLS appearance for the Galaxy. The Homegrown Player has totaled 29 goals and 10 assists since 2013. He scored his third goal of the season last weekend against Houston.

Game Notes

All time, the Galaxy are 12-12-7 against Real Salt Lake in MLS Regular Season matches, including 9-6-1 in matches played at home.
The year, the Galaxy’s five goals allowed are tied for the fewest in Major League Soccer.
LA’s +7 goal differential this season is the best in MLS. Their 12 goals scored are the second most in the league.
This season, the Galaxy are 2-0-1 at StubHub Center, scoring eight goals while allowing just three.
The Galaxy have been one of the most successful MLS teams at home during the last four seasons, scoring 125 total goals at StubHub Center, the most of any team.
The Galaxy’s home MLS record throughout the last four seasons is 37-5-12, with 125 goals for and just 41 against.
Since 2014, the Galaxy have only lost five of the previous 54 MLS games at StubHub Center.
In their most recent contest, the Galaxy fell 3-0 to Real Salt Lake on the road at Rio Tinto stadium in 2015.
Saturday’s match will mark the first of two matches this year, with LA and Salt Lake set to face again in Utah on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy continue their strong form at StubHub Center Saturday?
Will the Galaxy carry momentum from last weekend’s 4-1 road win?
Will Giovani dos Santos build off his dominant performance last weekend?
Can Brian Rowe continue his strong performance in net?
How will the pace of Emmanuel Boateng match up against RSL?
Did Joe Tutino run out of different flavors of gum?
How will rookie broadcast sensation Dan Gargan fare in his debut?

Quick hits

Quotable

Giovani dos Santos:

"We’ve been working really hard. I feel more confident because the team won and I scored two goals. I was the same Gio one month ago. I think [Real Salt Lake has] been very solid. They have been defending very well. They have a good striker. It’s going to be a very exciting game."

Bruce Arena:

“They’re a good team like they are every year. They’re the only unbeaten team in the league right now, so that’s a pretty impressive start to the season.”

LA Galaxy Communications -

@LAGalaxy