Starting XI
Jon Kempin; Pele van Anholt, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Ashley Cole ©; Rafael Garcia, João Pedro; Bradford Jamieson IV, Jonathan dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Gyasi Zardes
Bench
Clement Diop, Bradley Diallo, Nathan Smith, Jose Villarreal, Ariel Lassiter, Romain Alessandrini, Jack McInerney.
Lineup notes
- Back in action. After a bye week in MLS play, the Galaxy will take the field Wednesday night vs. Columbus with just 11 games remaining in the MLS Regular Season.
- Head Coach Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history, will coach his fourth contest since taking over as head coach. He will make three changes to the starting XI from last weekend’s match as Jon Kempin, Rafael Garcia and Bradford Jamieson IV start in place of Brian Rowe (coaches decision), Romain Alessandrini (not 100%) and the recently-departed Jelle Van Damme.
- In net, Jon Kempin will make his second start in net for the LA Galaxy as Schmid will go with the 24-year-old keeper over Brian Rowe. In his career, Kempin has made eight appearances and seven starts total.
- At right back, Pele van Anholt will make his fourth-straight start for the Galaxy since joining mid-year. He has looked solid at the right back position, providing stability after a multitude of players featured there throughout the year prior to his arrival.
- In the central defense, Dave Romney continues in the back line following the departure of Jelle Van Damme. Romney is young, talented and versatile and can play any position along the defense. He was the first-ever player to sign with the Galaxy from LA Galaxy II.
- Next to Romney is fellow Galaxy II product Daniel Steres, who has been one of the most consistent field players for LA since signing with the team prior to the start of last season. Overall, Steres has made 48 appearances for LA since last year.
- On the left, English veteran defender Ashley Cole will captain the side from the left back position. Despite aging legs, Cole continues to impress during his time with the Galaxy and in MLS.
- Sliding into the central midfield spot is the dependable Rafael Garcia, who always puts in a solid performance when called upon. Garcia has been an important piece this year, playing multiple positions on the field as needed.
- Alongside Garcia is João Pedro, who is set to make his team-leading 22nd start of the season. Pedro has been one of the most consistent players on the field this year for the Galaxy in his first season with the club. He is only 24 years old.
- On the right side of the midfield, the young and talented Bradford Jamieson IV slots into the lineup for Romain Alessandrini, who isn’t 100%. Jamieson IV subbed into the game late against NYCFC and put in a strong performance.
- Pushing up high in the center of the field, Jonathan dos Santos continues in an attacking position in the absence of Giovani dos Santos, who remains out with a hamstring injury. Wednesday will mark his second-straight start for LA since joining the club.
- Out wide, one of the smallest but also one of the fastest players in MLS, Emmanuel Boateng makes his 21st start of the season. He is the only Galaxy player to have appeared in every game this season, tallying three goals and two assists on the year.
- Up top, Gyasi Zardes will start up top at forward looking for his first goal this season. In His career, Zardes has scored 32 times and added 16 assists in 122 appearances.
Game notes
- The Galaxy are 15-16-10 all-time against Crew SC, going 4-9-6 in road games against the side.
- LA are 2-1-2 in their last five trips to Columbus.
- Columbus is 8-3-1 at home in 2017 while the Galaxy are 5-5-1 on the road this year.
- The Galaxy’s five road wins are more than the total in each of their previous two seasons in MLS.
- This season, the Galaxy are 4-1-0 when scoring the first goal and 2-11-2 when conceding first.
- Crew SC is 1-3-1 in their last five matches and will also be participating in two matches this week, facing Dallas on Saturday at home.
Storylines
- Can the Galaxy find their first win under Sigi Schmid?
- Will the Galaxy’s road success continue at Columbus?
- How will Jon Kempin fare in net for the Galaxy?
- Can Gyasi Zardes find the back of the net?
- How will Jonathan dos Santos look in the attacking midfield role?
- Do Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the Alphabet Song really have the same tune?
Bee Gees Lyrics
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a soccer man: no time to talk
Music loud and soccer warm, it’s been kicked around
Since I was born
And now it's all right, it's okay
And you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The Galaxy’s effect on man
Whether you're a (Dos Santos) brother or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the standings breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive
Well now, I get low and I get high
And if I can't get either, I really try
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes
I'm a soccer man and I just can't lose
You know it's all right, it's okay
I'll live to see another day
We can try to understand
The Galaxy’s effect on man
Whether you're a (Villarreal) brother or whether you're a mother
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the standings breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive
– Bee Gees – Staying Alive (1978)