Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo | October 16, 2016

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Starting XI


Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Ashley Cole; Baggio Husidic, Sebastian Lletget; Landon Donovan, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Alan Gordon


Substitutions


Dan Kennedy, Dave Romney, Rafael Garcia, Jeff Larentowicz, Raul Mendiola, Mike Magee, Ariel Lassiter


Lineup notes


  • Yeehaw! LA Galaxy visit the Lone Star State for the second-straight match. Head coach Bruce Arena will feature five changes in the lineup from the Galaxy’s last MLS match, a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas on the road. Daniel Steres, Baggio Husidic, Landon Donovan, Emmanuel Boateng and Alan Gordon will start in place of Jelle Van Damme, Jeff Larentowicz, Steven Gerrard, Raul Mendiola and Robbie Keane.
  • Y’all, Robbie Rogers will make his 20th appearance of the season on Sunday. Since making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 30-13-21 in all MLS competitions in which this city-slicker has appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
  • Rootin’ tootin’ Brian Rowe is set to make his 29th start of the season in what has been a career year for the former UCLA star. Rowe has commanded the Galaxy in net this season, notching seven shutouts and losing just five times in 28 games.
  • Fixin’ to make his mark on the game, A.J. DeLaGarza continues in the center of defense with his second-straight start (last match was his first start since Sept. 3rd). DeLaGarza is one of Major League Soccer’s most undervalued, versatile and consistent defenders, making 202 appearances for LA and capturing the hearts of Galaxy fans everywhere with his charm and good looks.
  • Howdy there! Daniel Steres is back in the XI with the absence of Jelle Van Damme on yellow card accumulation. Steres has been one of the biggest surprises in MLS this season, locking down a spot along the Galaxy backline and appearing in 30 games this year.
  • Sure’nuff, Ashley Cole continues in his left back spot after a strong season during his first year Stateside. Cole, who hasn’t visited any beaches in the U.S., has made 25 starts for the Galaxy this season and has arguably been the top left back in MLS.
  • Ready and rarin’ to go, Baggio Husidic is back in the starting lineup to make his 16th of the season. Baggio is really good at two things (among others): adhering to his strict vegan diet and playing sound, solid soccer. One of those is the reason he has been a steady contributor for the Galaxy since 2014. The other is the reason he has very low cholesterol.
  • Darn tootin’, Sebastian Lletget gets the start, sliding back into the center of the field after playing wide against FC Dallas two weeks ago. Sebastian Lletget has thrived in the middle of the field year. For more about that, read this wonderful article by LA Galaxy Insider, Adam Serrano.
  • This ain’t his first rodeo. Landon Donovan is back (in the starting lineup). Back again. Landon’s back, tell a friend. Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and seductive water-fountain photos will make his first start with the Galaxy this season. It will be his 314th career start in Major League Soccer. All time, he’s got 145 goals and 136 assists, so you know he is good at soccer.
  • Yippee Ki Yay, Gio is back! Fresh off his return from international duty with Mexico (where he notched a goal and assist in two games), Giovani Dos Santos gets the start in the center of the field. Dos Santos has played his way into MLS MVP conversation, recording 14 goals and 12 assists (yeehaw!) on the season.
  • They say that everything is bigger in Texas, but Emmanuel Boateng will still be a very small man. The generously-listed 5’6” Ghanaian is not tall, but he is fast. The fastest, actually. And he’s tallied two goals and five assists this year, including a goal and two assists in his last four starts.
  • Giddy up, y’all, Alan Gordon is in the starting XI. With more MLS experience than you can shake a stick at, the 6’4”, long-haired, all-around-good-guy Gordon will look to bang in some goals. Gordo has tallied 51 goals, 28 assists and one deeply-artistic painting by Dan Gargan during his time in MLS.


Additional notes


  • LA will be without Jelle Van Damme (yellow card accumulation) and Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and Gyasi Zardes (injury)


Game notes


  • The Galaxy are 3-5-8 this year when playing on the road, scoring 21 goals and allowing 22.
  • All time, the Galaxy are 9-9-5 against the Houston Dynamo in regular season play.
  • In matches against the Dynamo in Texas, LA have gone 4-6-2 in matches played on the road.
  • Sunday will mark the team’s third contest, with LA going 2-0-0 against Houston in the previous two games.
  • In their most recent contest at BBVA Stadium, the Galaxy won 4-1 behind a brace from Dos Santos and a goal each from Husidic and Zardes.


Storylines


  • Can the Galaxy rebound from their loss against FC Dallas?
  • What will Landon Donovan do in his first start since his return?
  • How will a week of rest for the Galaxy affect their play?
  • Will the heat/humidity play a factor Sunday?
  • Can the Galaxy inch closer to a home match in the Knockout Round of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs?
  • Is everything bigger in Texas?


Quick hits


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