LA Galaxy Starting XI

Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Robbie Rogers; Sebastian Lletget, Nigel de Jong, Steven Gerrard, Gyasi Zardes; Robbie Keane ©, Mike Magee.

Subs

Clement Diop, Ashley Cole, Dave Romney, Rafael Garcia, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Ariel Lassiter.

Lineup Notes           

• In the second match of the season, Bruce Arena will see three changes from last week’s starting XI as Brian Rowe, Jelle Van Damme and Mike Magee enter the starting lineup for Saturday night’s match in the mile-high city.
• Former UCLA star Brian Rowe gets the start in net for the Galaxy for the injured Dan Kennedy. Rowe filled in admirably last weekend after entering for Kennedy to help the Galaxy come back from a 1-0 deficit. Since joining LA in 2012, Rowe has started 14 MLS matches for the club and made 37 saves, going 7-5-3.
• Defender Robbie Rogers continues at his new position of right back on Saturday against Colorado, making the switch from the left side. After making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 25-9-12 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the MLS Cup Final. 
• Belgium defender Jelle Van Damme will make his MLS debut Saturday against Colorado. The veteran defender joined the Galaxy this offseason and returns to the starting XI after missing last weekend’s game with a Damme knock.
• Fresh off his first-ever MLS match and goal last weekend, defender Daniel Steres gets the nod alongside defender Jelle Van Damme in central defense. Steres, recognized this week by Assemblyman Mike Grotto, signed a first team contract this offseason after being named the LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year over the past two seasons and leading Los Dos to the 2015 USL Championship match in their second season.
• On the right in midfield will be Da’ Boy Sebastian Lletget. Lletget recorded da’ game-winning assist last Sunday against D.C., picking up where he left off after a successful first season with LA in 2015. In total, Lletget has now scored seven goals, added three assists and received thousands of Instagram likes since joining LA.
• In the center of the pitch will be English legend Steven Gerrard. Gerrard started off the 2016 campaign strong, picking up an assist in the 4-1 win over D.C. He is entering his first full season in MLS play.
• Nigel de Jong starts in the center of the field next to Gerrard in what is one of Major League Soccer’s most accomplished midfield pairings. The Dutchman joined the Galaxy this offseason after representing his country in two World Cups and playing for European giants Manchester City and A.C. Milan.
• On the left side of midfield, LA Galaxy Homegrown Player, USMNT starter and new father Gyasi Zardes gets the start. Zardes, who signed a multi-year contract extension with the Galaxy last week, will play after welcoming his daughter Maylie into the world on Wednesday morning.
• Mike Magee starts up top after a heroic performance in the season opener. The Galaxy forward recorded two goals, an assist and earned a penalty kick to help the Galaxy seal the 4-1 victory over D.C. United last weekend, earning him MLS Player of the Week honors.
• Spectacularly-handsome Irishman Robbie Keane will captain the Galaxy Saturday night against Colorado and look to do what he does: score goals. He is approaching 100 goals in all competitions with the LA Galaxy, currently having scored 95 goals in just 144 appearances in all competitions.

 Additional lineup notes

• Clement Diop makes his first-ever appearance in the 18-man roster for an MLS match. All four LA Galaxy II products to sign first-team contracts – Clement Diop, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Ariel Lassiter – will be featured in the 18-man roster in Colorado. The quartet helped lead Los Dos to their first-ever USL Western Conference title in 2015.
• The goal puppy Ariel Lassiter will now wear #15 just like the goal dog Roy Lassiter, his father, used to wear. Lassiter previously wore #46 for LA Galaxy II.

Game Notes

• The Galaxy have gone 35-24-8 against the Rapids all time in MLS play, scoring 108 goals and allowing just 77.
• In road matches against Colorado, the Galaxy are 12-17-5 all time.
• In their most recent contest, the Galaxy earned a 3-1 win behind goals from Sebastian Lletget, Alan Gordon, and Robbie Keane in August of 2015.
• With a goal last week, forward Robbie Keane is just five goals shy of scoring 100 goals with the Galaxy across all official competitions. Keane, in 109 MLS Regular Season appearances, has scored 74 goals for LA all time.
• The Galaxy have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series. The teams reached a 1-1 draw May 2 at StubHub Center before the Galaxy claimed a 3-1 victory Aug. 1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last season.
• The Galaxy have won the last two meetings in Commerce City after last year’s victory there, ending a two-game Rapids home winning streak in the series – their first home wins vs. LA since 2008
• Following their match against Colorado, the Galaxy will return home for the California Clasico at StubHub Center against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. PT live on TWCSN and TWCD.

Storylines

• Can the Galaxy build off an impressive second-half performance against D.C. United?
• How will newly-acquired European veterans fare in the altitude of Denver?
• How will Brian Rowe fare in his first start in net this season?
• Will Mike Magee continue to find success?
• How will Daniel Steres adjust in his first road start for LA?
• How will the Galaxy midfield pair together on the road?
• Who will be the Denver Broncos starting quarterback in 2016?

Quick hits

• Match preview
• By the Numbers
• Mic’d up – An all-access look at Bruce Arena during the home opener
• Awwww – Gyasi Zardes welcome his new daughter into the world
• #ThisIsLA across Los Angeles

Quotable

• Jelle Van Damme: “I'm back on the training field, and I'm fine. I did it two days before the Santos game [in Torreon]. It wasn't a good call of mine, but that's the way that I am because I want to play in every game. I played on it for 65 minutes, and I didn't have my best game. I took it easy for a few games, but now I'm back with the team. It feels good. I'm ready.”
• Gyasi Zardes: “My daughter was born [on Wednesday]. It's a blessing to have another child. Family matters to me, and that's all that matters. I'm just so thankful to have my family and the support from my friends, other family members, and even fans. The fact that they've been supporting me after I had a new baby has just been phenomenal."
• Brian Rowe: “I feel confident and comfortable. This is my fifth year in the league and I think I’ve gotten to the point where I know my way around and played enough games to perform. Once you kind of settle in you feel confident out there. I’ve come a long way these last couple of years.”
• Ashley Cole: “I think everyone keeps saying it’s hard to breathe [playing in Colorado]. You kind of get tired from zero minutes to 30 minutes; it kind of takes a toll on your body. And after that you kind of get a second wind. Hopefully that happens and we have control of the game before this. But I’m looking forward to the game anyway.”