Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Sporting Kansas City | September 18, 2016

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LA Galaxy Communications

Starting XI


Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Raul Mendiola, Jeff Larentowicz, Sebastian Lletget, Emmanuel Boateng; Alan Gordon, Robbie Keane © 


Substitutions


Dan Kennedy, Dave Romney, A.J. DeLaGarza, Rafael Garcia, Baggio Husidic, Landon Donovan, Giovani dos Santos


Lineup notes


  • LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena welcomes captain Robbie Keane back to the Starting XI for the first time since last month. The lineup features just two changes to the Starting XI from last Sunday’s 4-2 win over Orlando: Jeff Larentowicz and Robbie Keane start in place of Rafael Garcia and Giovani dos Santos, who is out as a precaution from a knock in training.
  • In net, Brian Rowe continues for the Galaxy during his best year ever in MLS, putting him among the top goalkeepers in MLS this season. With 26 appearances and 25 starts for LA this year, Rowe has allowed just 1.01 goals per game and notched seven shutouts with a 11-3-12 record.
  • On the right, defender Robbie Rogers continues in the lineup since returning to action following an ankle surgery that kept him out nearly two months. Since making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 30-11-20 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers has appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
  • Next to Rogers, defender Daniel Steres gets the start in what has been a breakout season in MLS for the former LA Galaxy II captain. Steres was named Los Dos Defender of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and has appeared in 28 games for the Galaxy this year, the most of any LA player.
  • Alongside Steres, the big, bald, beautiful Belgian Jelle Van Damme gets the start. Van Damme returned to the lineup last week following an MCL strain. When he has played, he has been arguably the best defender in MLS this season.
  • On the left, Englishman Ashley Cole makes his 25th start of the season. Cole has been among the best left backs in MLS this year since joining from AS Roma.
  • On the right side of the midfield, LA Galaxy Homegrown Player Raul Mendiola makes his second-straight start for the Galaxy in what will be his third-ever start in MLS. Mendiola, who led Galaxy II and USL in assists last year, has impressed when called upon in recent weeks.
  • In the center, the reliable red-headed midfielder Jeff Larentowicz returns to the starting XI in his 14th start of the year. Larentowicz has been one of the most consistent players in Major League Soccer throughout his career, making 304 total starts.
  • Alongside Larentowicz is Sebastian Lletget, who will continue to play in the center of the field. Lletget has done a solid job in the center since sliding inside following the departure of Nigel de Jong.
  • Out left, the speedy Emmanuel Boateng continues in the starting XI after an impressive week last week that saw him tally a goal and an assist in consecutive matches. I would bet some Famous Dave’s BBQ that he is the fastest player on the field Sunday.
  • At forward, the veteran Alan Gordon makes his third-straight start for LA. On Sunday, Gordon tallied his first goal of the season and the 50th goal of his MLS career. He is now one of 17 active MLS players with 50 or more career goals in the league.
  • Up top, the dashingly-handsome Irishman Robbie Keane returns to the lineup to captain the side. Keane all time MLS stats: 81 goals, 42 assists, 23 game-winning goals, 16 game-winning assists in just 122 appearances. 


Game notes


  • The Galaxy’s +17 goal differential this year is the best in MLS and their 32 goals allowed are second-fewest in the MLS Western Conference.
  • The Galaxy’s 49 goals (1.69 goals per game) are the best in the Western Conference and tied for best in MLS.
  • LA’s 3-4-7 road record (.464) in MLS this year is the best in the Western Conference.
  • The Galaxy have the best record in MLS when they allow the first goal (4-3-6).
  • The Galaxy’s 1.10 GAA is the third-fewest in MLS, only behind Colorado and Toronto FC.


Storylines


  • Can the Galaxy find their third win in their previous four games?
  • How effective will Robbie Keane be in his return to the lineup?
  • Will the Galaxy build momentum down the final stretch of the season?
  • How will the Larentowicz-Lletget partnership look in midfield?
  • Are tacos better than BBQ?


Quick hits


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