Starting XI: LA Galaxy at FC Dallas | October 1, 2016

10.1 xi
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Starting XI


Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, A.J. DeLaGarza, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Jeff Larentowicz, Steven Gerrard; Sebastian Lletget, Giovani dos Santos, Raul Mendiola; Robbie Keane © 


Substitutions


Dan Kennedy, Daniel Steres, Rafael Garcia, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon


Lineup notes


  • LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will make three changes to the starting XI that faced Seattle last weekend as A.J. DeLaGarza, Steven Gerrard and Raul Mendiola will start in place of Daniel Steres, Baggio Husidic and Emmanuel Boateng.
  • In goal, Brian Rowe will continue in net in what will be his 28th start of the season, 20+ games more than his previous career high. Rowe has notched seven shutout on the year en route to leading the Galaxy to a 11-4-13 record. All time, Rowe has gone 17-9-16 as the Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper.
  • On the right, Robbie Rogers will continue on the backline in his 17th start of the season. Since making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 30-12-21 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers has appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
  • In the center of defense, veteran A.J. DeLaGarza makes his first start since Sept. 3rd. DeLaGarza has made 201 appearances all time for the Galaxy, second only to Landon Donovan on the current LA squad.
  • Defender Jelle Van Damme will continue in the center of the defense Saturday against FC Dallas in a year that has put him in contention for MLS Defender of the Year. Van Damme has made 26 appearances – all starts – for LA since joining the team this offseason.
  • On the left, the veteran Englishman Ashley Cole will continue his standout year. With 24 starts this year in MLS, Cole has been among the top left backs in the league.
  • In the center of the field, midfielder Steven Gerrard returns to the lineup in what will be his first start since Aug. 27. Gerrard ranks fourth in MLS in assists with 11 on the season, but has one of the best assists per 90 minutes in MLS (.70).
  • Alongside Gerrard is Jeff Larentowicz, who has been solid for the Galaxy this year in the center of the field. The 12-year MLS veteran has made 15 starts this season for LA since signing as a free agent this offseason.
  • Moving back out to the right is Sebastian Lletget, who had played in the center of the field in previous matches. Lletget has been in strong form in recent weeks, tallying five assists in his last seven games, including assists in each of his last three games.
  • In the center of the field is MLS MVP candidate Giovani dos Santos, who continues his stellar year in MLS. Gio has 14 goals and 12 assists this year in MLS (both in the top 5 of MLS players), and is one of just two players to record 10+ goals and 10+ assists on the season.
  • Out wide on the left, LA Galaxy Homegrown Player Raul Mendiola gets the start in what will be the 4th start of his MLS career. The 2015 USL leader in assists has impressed in his limited action this year for LA.
  • Up top, the ruggedly-handsome Irishman Robbie Keane will captain the side against Dallas. After a two-goal performance from Keane against Seattle, he brought his total to 10 goals on the year, giving him five-straight seasons with 10 or more goals on the season.


Game Notes


  • The Galaxy are 3-4-8 this year when playing on the road, scoring 21 goals and allowing 21.
  • LA Galaxy have lost the fewest road games in MLS this season (4).
  • LA Galaxy are 5-3-6 when allowing the first goal, the best such record in MLS.
  • The Galaxy can clinch a spot in the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs with the following scenarios:
  • LA Galaxy win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday


OR

  •  LA Galaxy tie vs. FC Dallas on Saturday


AND ONE OF

  • Colorado Rapids tie vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday OR
  • Real Salt Lake lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday AND Sporting Kansas City lose or tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday OR
  • Real Salt Lake lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday AND Seattle Sounders FC lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday OR
  • Seattle Sounders FC lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday AND Sporting Kansas City lose or tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday


OR

  • Colorado Rapids win vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday


OR

  • Real Salt Lake lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday AND
  • Seattle Sounders FC lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday AND
  • Sporting Kansas City lose or tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday


OR

  • Seattle Sounders FC lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday AND
  • Sporting Kansas City lose vs. New England Revolution on Saturday AND
  • Real Salt Lake tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday


Storylines


  • Can the Galaxy rebound from their loss against Seattle Sounders FC?
  • How will the return of Steven Gerrard impact the match Saturday?
  • Will the Galaxy gain ground on FC Dallas’ position in the MLS and Western Conference standings?
  • How many minutes will Landon Donovan see in Dallas?


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