Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids | June 22, 2016

6.22 starting xi
LA Galaxy Communications

LA Galaxy Starting XI


Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Sebastian Lletget, Baggio Husidic, Nigel de Jong ©, Emmanuel Boateng; Giovani dos Santos, Jack McBean.


Substitutions


Clement Diop, Rafael Garcia, Jeff Larentowicz, Steven Gerrard, Mike Magee, Jose Villarreal, Alan Gordon


Lineup Notes


  • Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will shift his lineup Wednesday to accommodate for a short turnaround after Saturday’s match on the East Coast: Dave Romney, Emmanuel Boateng, Giovani dos Santos and Jack McBean will start in place of Ashley Cole, Mike Magee, Alan Gordon and Jeff Larentowicz.
  • Brian Rowe makes his 14th appearance of the season on Wednesday against Colorado, which will double his previous season high for appearances in a single-season. Rowe has been solid for the Galaxy since taking over in net, with a  1.10 GAA and 44 saves.
  • On the right, veteran defender A.J. DeLaGarza starts in his ninth game of 2016. With Robbie Rogers undergoing ankle surgery Monday, DeLaGarza will take on an even greater role in the LA defense.
  • In the center, defender Daniel Steres continues his big season with another start, which will mark his 14th of the year. Steres, a two time LA Galaxy Defender of the Year, is the only Galaxy player to appear in every match this season.
  • The bald Belgian Jelle Van Damme again starts alongside Steres in the center of the defense. Van Damme joined this offseason from Standard Liège and has provided a consistent, strong and bald presence in the back for LA.
  • On the left, Dave Romney makes his first start of 2016 and his third MLS start overall. Romney is talented and handsome and was the first-ever player to sign a contract with the Galaxy from LA Galaxy II.
  • Midfielder Sebastian Lletget makes the start on the right for LA in what will be his 14th appearance this season. In total, the former West Ham man has tallied seven goals and five assists for LA since joining last year.
  • In the center of the field, Baggio Husidic makes his fourth-straight start and his 14th appearance overall. Not flashy but always reliable, Husidic has been an unheralded contributor for LA since 2014.
  • Roaming the center of the field, Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong makes his 10th start this season. De Jong has provided a strong presence in the center of the pitch and will look to disrupt an in-form Colorado team.
  • On the left, speedy winger Emmanuel Boateng gets the nod from Bruce Arena. In Boateng’s last two starts at StubHub Center, the Galaxy have outscored their opponents nine to four. He will be the fastest player on the field Wednesday night.
  • Up top, undeniably charming forward Giovani dos Santos makes the start after sitting out of Saturday’s match while recovering from a quad injury. In his last eight MLS matches, Gio has scored six goals and recorded five assists.
  • Alongside Dos Santos, homegrown youngster Jack McBean returns to the LA Galaxy starting lineup. After debuting and finding success as a 16-year-old with LA, McBean continued his development on LA Galaxy II, earning MVP honors in 2015. McBean remains the youngest player to ever play, start and score for the Galaxy.


Game Notes


  • LA have lost just twice in their previous 12 MLS matches.
  • The Galaxy lead MLS in goals scored (27).
  • The Galaxy have gone 35-25-8 against the Rapids all time in MLS play, scoring 108 goals and allowing just 78.
  • This season, the Galaxy are 4-0-3 at StubHub Center, scoring 18 goals while allowing just eight.
  • The Galaxy have been one of the most successful MLS teams at home during the last four seasons, scoring 135 total goals at StubHub Center, the most of any team.
  • The Galaxy’s home MLS record throughout the last four seasons is 38-5-14, with 135 goals for and just 44 against.
  • Since 2014, the Galaxy have only lost five of their previous 57 MLS games at StubHub Center.
  • In their most recent contest against the Rapids, the Galaxy fell to the Rapids, 1-0, behind a 95th-minute goal from midfielder Marco Pappa at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
  • On Wednesday, the Galaxy will feature four players who have joined from LA Galaxy II (Diop, Steres, Romney, McBean).


Storylines


  • Can the Galaxy return to winning (and scoring) ways at StubHub Center?
  • How will the newly-signed Jack McBean fare in the Galaxy lineup?
  • How will the De Jong-Husidic midfield partnership fare in the center?
  • Will Giovani dos Santos continue his strong form in return from injury?
  • How many minutes will Steven Gerrard see Wednesday?
  • Will it be unreasonably hot?


Quick hits



Quotable


Bruce Arena:

  • “They’ve had a good start to the season,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “I think they’ve been a team that’s demonstrated they can grind out results. Even on days when they aren’t at their best they’ve managed to get points.”


Nigel de Jong:

  • “It is frustrating conceding too many late goals. I don’t really like to use excuses. We’re dealing with a couple of things … we’re dealing with suspensions, injuries, guys that are not here during tournaments. I don’t think we played these last 14 games with the same eleven. You gotta’ deal with those things. Fortunately, we’re not at the end of the season. It is frustrating, but we have to deal with it and bounce back in our game tomorrow. Luckily at home we’re very strong. We just have to go for the win.”
LA Galaxy Communications -
@LAGalaxy