LA Galaxy Communications

Starting XI

Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Baggio Husidic, Jeff Larentowicz; Giovani dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, Gyasi Zardes; Robbie Keane ©.

Bench

Dan Kennedy, Leonardo, Rafael Garcia, Emmanuel Boateng, Sebastian Lletget, Mike Magee, Alan Gordon.

Lineup Notes

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will make two changes to the Starting XI that faced Vancouver on Monday: Jelle Van Damme and Baggio Husidic start in place of Leonardo and Nigel de Jong.
The Galaxy have yet to start the same XI players in consecutive matches this year.
Brian Rowe makes his 17^thappearance of the season Saturday in Seattle. The former UCLA star has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season; he is one of only four MLS goalkeepers with a GAA average below 1.00 (0.95 – minimum 500 minutes played).
On the right, the longest tenured player with the LA Galaxy, A.J. DeLaGarza, makes his 12^thstart this season. DeLaGarza has made 191 appearances for LA during his time in MLS – no other player on the Galaxy roster has played in more matches for LA.
In the center of the back line, big, bald, beautiful Belgian central defender Jelle Van Damme returns to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation in the last match. Van Damme has been in MLS Best XI form since joining this offseason.
Alongside Van Damme is central defender Daniel Steres, who is set to make his 16^thstart of the season, the most of any Galaxy player this season. Before joining the Galaxy this offseason, Steres was a three-time All-USL first team member and a two-time LA Galaxy Defender of the Year.
On the left side of defense is fellow LA Galaxy II product Dave Romney. Romney is talented, versatile and handsome and became the first-ever player to sign with the Galaxy from Galaxy II when he joined late last year.
In the center of the park, Jeff Larentowicz gets his 297^thall-time MLS start. Big Red has red hair and plays soccer exceptionally well. He has made five starts and 11 appearances in MLS this season for LA.
Alongside Larentowicz, healthy vegan eater Baggio Husidic will patrol the center of the pitch. Husidic does all the little things right and has been one of the Galaxy’s unsung heroes since joining LA in 2014.
On the left, USMNT star and local kid Gyasi Zardes makes his 12^thstart of the season. This year, when Gyasi Zardes has played, the LA Galaxy average 2.25 goals. When he doesn’t, they average 0.5.
In a playmaking role, English legend Steven Gerrard makes his 11^thstart of the year. Gerrard has clicked this year; he is second in MLS in assists (7) and assists per 90 minutes. In 13 starts last year, Stevie G had three assists. This year, he has seven assists in his first 10 starts.
On the right side of the field, Mexico international and charming talent Giovani dos Santos makes his 13^thappearance of the 2016 MLS season. On the year, Dos Santos has tallied seven goals and five assists.
Up top, astonishingly-handsome Irishman Robbie Keane makes his second-straight start since returning from international duty. Presented without comment: In 115 appearances, Keane has 78 goals, 44 assists, 22 game-winning goals, 16 game-winning assists and 19 multi-goal games in MLS (four hat-tricks, 15 braces).

Game Notes

LA have lost just twice in their previous 15 MLS matches.
In their previous five MLS matches, the Galaxy have given up just two goals.
All time, the Galaxy are 8-4-6 against Seattle in MLS Regular Season matches, including 3-3-3 in road matches.
LA Galaxy average 1.76 goals per game (MLS leader).
LA Galaxy hold a 1.06 GAA (second best in the Western Conference).
All-time, Bruce Arena is 196-118-81 in MLS play, just four wins from joining Sigi Schmid as the only coach in MLS history with 200 wins. Arena is currently the only coach with five MLS Cup victories.
In their most recent contest, the Galaxy fell to Seattle 3-2 on the road at CenturyLink Field last season in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Saturday will mark the first of three MLS contests between LA and Seattle this year (July 9, July 31, Sept. 25).
This month, the Galaxy will face Sounders FC three separate times, including two MLS matches at CenturyLink Field and a 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture at StubHub Center.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy find more goals following their win over Vancouver?
How will the Galaxy backline and defensive midfield withstand Seattle’s attack?
Will things get heated between LA and Seattle (outside of the noon kickoff)?
Can Robbie Keane chug more goals against Seattle?
Will Stevie G continue his strong form?

Quick hits

Quotable

Bruce Arena:

“I never look at any game as the coaches being the focal point, as a starting point. But having said that, there can’t be a much more accomplished and deserving coach than Sigi. Any talk of any of that stuff to me is very foolish. Can I make that any clearer?”

Steven Gerrard:

“We’re moving into a critical stage of the season. We need to keep taking maximum points. I look back on the first half of the season and see where we let too many good positions slip and dropped silly points.”

Mike Magee:

“When [Seattle] came into the league, I think that they called us out. They thought they’d challenge us, and it didn’t work out well for them. They’re still trying to be what the Galaxy is. They’re doing a great job. They have great fans and a great team, but I’d say, to be honest with you, they’re a little jealous.”

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Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders | July 9, 2016