Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Portland Timbers | July 23, 2016

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LA Galaxy Communications

LA Galaxy Starting XI


Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Giovani dos Santos, Nigel de Jong, Jeff Larentowicz, Emmanuel Boateng; Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane ©


Substitutions


Dan Kennedy, Leonardo, Rafael Garcia, Baggio Husidic, Sebastian Lletget, Mike Magee, Alan Gordon.


Lineup Notes


  • LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will start strong lineup Saturday on the road against the reigning MLS Cup champs, making one change to the XI from the Galaxy’s previous starting lineup in MLS: Emmanuel Boateng enters for Steven Gerrard, who misses the match with a minor knock.
  • LA Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe will make his 18th start and his 19th appearance in MLS this season. Rowe previously had previously made no more than seven appearances in a single-season for LA. This year, he has been one of the top goalkeepers in MLS, earning a .84 GAA average, one of only four MLS ‘keepers with a GAA below 1.00.
  • On the right, veteran right back A.J. DeLaGarza makes his 14th appearance of the year Saturday against Portland. The versatile defender is the most-capped LA player on the roster, with 193 appearances all-time for the Galaxy. More importantly, he recently defeated 25 10 year olds in a soccer game.
  • In the center of the backline, Daniel Steres makes his 18th start of the season. Steres spent the previous three seasons in USL, earning All-USL honors in all three. He signed this offseason from Galaxy II and has become of LA’s most reliable defenders.
  • Big, bald, beautiful Belgian centerback Jelle Van Damme is set to make his 17th appearance this season. Van Damme has been in MLS Best XI form this year and helped the Galaxy become stout on the defensive end, giving up just one goal in their last five MLS games.
  • On the left, Dave Romney will make sixth start of the season. Romney went undrafted in 2015 before joining LA Galaxy II in USL as a practice player to start the season. From there, he dominated with Los Dos and earned a contract with LA, becoming the club’s first-ever signing from LA Galaxy II to the LA Galaxy.
  • On the right side of the midfield, charming Mexican international Giovani dos Santos makes his 16th start of the year. Dos Santos has tallied seven goals and give assists this season and is coming off of Wednesday’s open cup match that saw him score the game-tying goal in a 4-2 win.
  • In the center of the field, Jeff Larentowicz will make his 299th MLS start when he takes the field Saturday at Providence Park. Big Red has been a crucial free-agent signing for the Galaxy this offseason, making seven appearances on the year and solidifying a partnership with Nigel de Jong in the middle of the pitch.
  • Also patrolling the center of the field, Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong returns to the XI after serving a two-game suspension. De Jong has made 12 MLS starts on the season and helped the Galaxy dictate midfield play.
  • Emmanuel Boateng makes the start on the left side of the midfield Saturday in his seventh start of the year. The tiny, speedy Ghanaian will be the fasted one on the turf Saturday. In his last match at Providence Park, Boateng recorded the game-winning assist in the Galaxy’s 1-0 Round of 16 win over the Timbers.
  • Up top, Hawthorne Hero and USMNT regular Gyasi Zardes makes his 14th start of the year. Zardes has put in a solid shift for the Galaxy this year, tallying four goals and five assists. His motor never quits.
  • Absurdly-handsome Irishman Robbie Keane will captain the Galaxy Tuesday night. Since Keane has been back form Euro 2016 action: three wins, two game winning goals. Not bad. All time in MLS: Keane has 79 goals, 44 assists, 23 game-winning goals, 16 game-winning assists.


Game Notes


  • All time in MLS play, the Galaxy are 6-4-5 against Timbers FC, including 1-3-2 on the road.
  • The Galaxy’s +14 goal differential this year is the best in MLS.
  • have lost just twice in their previous 17 MLS matches and have won their previous three.
  • The Galaxy have allowed just one goal in their last five games, the fewest in MLS.
  • The Galaxy are 5-0-4 when playing on national television in 2016.
  • The Galaxy average 2.07 goals when Gyasi Zardes plays. When he doesn’t, they average 0.50.
  • This year, the LA Galaxy are 5-0-0 in matches when Robbie Keane scores.
  • Bruce Arena has 198 wins heading into Saturday’s game, two away from joining Sigi Schmid the only MLS head coaches to reach 200 wins.
  • Robbie Keane has scored 100 goals in all competitions for the Galaxy (MLS, US Open Cup, Champions League).
  • With just 143 appearances, Keane is fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goals across all competitions (Second: Carlos Ruiz, 160 games).
  • This year, the LA Galaxy are 5-0-0 when leading at halftime.
  • Brian Rowe is one of four MLS ‘keepers with a GAA below 1.00 (0.84).


Storylines


  • Can the Galaxy win their sixth-straight game in all competitions (three MLS; two USOC)?
  • What will the striker partnership of Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane yield?
  • Will the Galaxy defense continue their dominant run in last five MLS matches?
  • How will the central-midfield partnership of De Jong/Larentowicz fare against Portland’s midfield?
  • Will Brendan Hannan wear a seersucker suit?
    • If not, why?


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