Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo | July 15, 2016

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LA Galaxy Communications

Starting XI


Brian Rowe; A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Baggio Husidic, Jeff Larentowicz; Giovani dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, Gyasi Zardes; Robbie Keane ©.


Bench


Dan Kennedy, Leonardo, Rafael Garcia, Emmanuel Boateng, Sebastian Lletget, Mike Magee, Alan Gordon.


Lineup Notes


  • Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will trot out the same starting XI players as in the match against Seattle last weekend.
  • Friday night will mark the first time this season that the Galaxy will start the same 11 players in consecutive matches.
  • Goalkeeper Brian Rowe will make his 18th start of the season on Friday night against Houston. Rowe has been a rock in net for LA this year; he is one of just five goalkeepers in MLS with a GAA below 1.00.
  • On the right, the longest tenured player with the LA Galaxy, A.J. DeLaGarza, makes his 13thstart this season. DeLaGarza has made 192 appearances for LA during his time in MLS – no other player on the Galaxy roster has played in more matches for LA.
  • In the center, MLS Best XI candidate Jelle Van Damme makes his 16th start of the year. Van Damme has helped the Galaxy to a allow just one goal per game, the second best in MLS.
  • Central defender Daniel Steres continues his fantastic season with his 17th start of the year. The three-time All-USL first team member and a two-time LA Galaxy Defender of the Year burst onto the scene this year and has locked down a starting spot and been one of the Galaxy’s most consistent players.
  • On the left side, fellow LA Galaxy II product Dave Romney makes his fifth start in 2016. Romney was the first-ever player to sign with the Galaxy from Galaxy II when he joined late last year.
  • In the central midfielder, steady veteran Jeff Larentowicz starts again in what will be his 298th start in MLS history between his time with the Revs, Rapids, Fire and Galaxy. Big Red has been a stud for the Galaxy since signing as a free-agent this offseason.
  • Alongside Larentowicz, midfielder Baggio Husidic makes his 11th start this season. Husidic is steady, consistent and is one of the Galaxy and Major League Soccer’s most unheralded players.
  • Charming Mexican International Giovani dos Santos is set to make his 15th start of the year. He has notched seven goals and five assists this season. Since last season, Gio has 10 goals and 10 assists and a lot of really charming smiles.
  • Pulling the strings, Steven Gerrard makes his 12th start of the season. The English legend has had an exceptional season thus far, recording two goals and seven assists. His 0.68 assists per 90 average is 2nd best in MLS.
  • On the left, Hawthorne kid and USMNT star Gyasi Zardes makes his 13th start of the year. On the year, Zardes has notched four goals and five assists in 13 appearances overall.
  • Up top, astonishingly handsome Irishman Robbie Keane will captain the side in his third-straight game back from Euro 2016 action. In his first two: two goals, two wins. In 116 appearances all time, Keane has 79 goals, 44 assists, 23 game-winning goals, 16 game-winning assists and 19 multi-goal games in MLS (four hat-tricks, 15 braces).


Game Notes:


  • LA have lost just twice in their previous 16 MLS matches.
  • LA Galaxy have allowed two goals in their last six games, fewest in MLS. They have recorded four shutouts in that time.
  • This season, the Galaxy are 5-0-4 at StubHub Center, scoring 20 goals while allowing just eight.
  • The Galaxy have been one of the most successful MLS teams at home during the last four seasons, scoring 137 total goals at StubHub Center, the most of
  • The Galaxy’s home MLS record throughout the last four seasons is 39-5-15, with 137 goals for and just 44 against.
  • Since 2014, the Galaxy have only lost five of their previous 59 MLS games at StubHub Center.
  • All time, the Galaxy are 8-9-5 against the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Regular Season, including 4-3-3 in matches at home.
  • Friday marks the second time the Galaxy face Houston this season


Storylines:


  • Can the Galaxy win in three straight?
  • Will Robbie Keane continue to chug goals?
  • Can an in-form Galaxy backline shut down Houston’s attack in what would be a third-straight shutout?
  • With the same starting XI for the first time this year, can the Galaxy start strong?


Quick hits:


Quotable:


Bruce Arena:


  • “They’re going to be a tough team to play against. They, like ourselves, have played well defensively as of late. They haven’t conceded many goals since Wade Barrett’s taken over. They’ve been good and it’s going to be a hard game. I expect them to defend with great numbers and look to get us on a counter.”


Robbie Keane:


  • “I score goals and win games. If I keep performing every time that I come back then I’m doing my job.”
LA Galaxy Communications -
@LAGalaxy