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Starting XI

Clement Diop; Rafael Garcia, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme ©, Nathan Smith; Sebastian Lletget, João Pedro, Baggio Husidic, Romain Alessandrini; Giovani dos Santos, Jack McBean

Bench: Brian Rowe, Bradley Diallo, Hugo Arellano, Jaime Villarreal, Emmanuel Boateng, Jose Villarreal, Ariel Lassiter.

Lineup notes

Game two! The LA Galaxy remain at StubHub Center for a match against Portland Timbers in their second contest of the young MLS season.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Curt Onalfo makes three changes to the Starting XI (two due to suspension) as Clement Diop, Nathan Smith and Baggio Husidic will all take the field against the Portland Timbers in place of Brian Rowe, Dave Romney and Jermaine Jones.
In net, young Frenchman Clement Diop will get the nod in what will be his third-ever start in MLS. Is he talented? Oui (this means “yes” for casual French speakers). Diop has dominated in USL over the past two years with Galaxy II. In 2016, he made 22 appearances during the USL Regular Season, making 62 saves with a 70% save percentage along with six shutouts while leading Los Dos to a 10-4-8 record.
On the right side, the dependable veteran Rafael Garcia will again make the start at right back. Playing as a central midfielder to start his career, Garcia has contributed at right back over the last two seasons and earned the trust of Onalfo and staff this preseason while training exclusively at the RB position.
In the center of the defense, Daniel Steres continues to be an anchor in the backline after his breakout season last year. In 2016, the two-time LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year made 31 appearances for LA, tied for the most of any field player.
He’s big, bald, beautiful, brash, boisterous and Belgian. He looks a little like John Strong, but is likely not as good of a play-by-play commentator. He’s Jelle Van Damme, the 2017 LA Galaxy captain. The 2016 MLS Best XI Defender will again lead the Galaxy against Portland.
On the left side of the backline, the talented 22-year-old Homegrown Player Nathan Smith will make his MLS debut. A natural right back, Smith is athletic and versatile enough to slot in on the left side. A highly-regarded Galaxy Academy product, Smith joined LA Galaxy II ahead of last season and impressed all year long in USL along the Los Dos backline.
On the right side of the midfield, the good-looking and good-selfie-taking and really good-soccer-playing Sebastian Lletget will start. He recently made his USMNT debut in 2017, could earn playing time in an upcoming WCQ and looks poised for a breakout season this year in MLS.
In the center, the steady leaf-eating midfielder Baggio Husidic will slot in for the suspended Jermaine Jones. Husidic is a consistent, unheralded player in MLS who does all the little things right. He has contributed regularly to LA since 2014.
Alongside Husidic is Galaxy newcomer João Pedro, a 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder. He rose through the ranks to become one of Primeira Liga’s top central midfielders before joining LA this offseason. He could be one of MLS’ top newcomers this season.
On the left side, the French speedster Romain Alessandrini will make his second-straight start after his debut last week. With Alessandrini, the LA Galaxy will set a club record for Frenchman to appear in the Starting XI (two). Romain arrived just three weeks ago but has jumped into the lineup immediately.
Up top, SoCal native and LA Galaxy Homegrown striker Jack McBean makes his second-straight start in absence of Gyasi Zardes. McBean was on fire last season in USL before a successful loan stint in England and has continued his strong form with an impressive opener last season.
Alongside McBean, the charming and handsome Giovani dos Santos will lead the Galaxy attack. He is looking to build off of his standout season 2016. Last year, Gio had 14 goals and 12 assists, one of two MLS players with 10+ goals and assists on the season.

Additional notes

· Gyasi Zardes, Ashley Cole, Robbie Rogers are unavailable for selection due to injury

FS1 Broadcast talent notes

Veteran broadcaster and noted Denver Bronco fan John Strong leads the FS1 crew Sunday in play-by-play. Strong has called 15 of the 16 matchups between LA and Portland in MLS, the most of any announcer, and leads MLS in long-form Fanendo Adi(iiiiiiiiiiii) goal calls. It will be his first match with a possible Romain Alessandrini(iiiiiiiiiiii) goal call.
Strong is joined in the booth by former MLS, EPL and USMNT standout Brad Friedel. Friedel is a veteran in goalkeeping, broadcasting and scoring clutch goals.
On the pitch, former USMNT star and current ginger analyst Alexi Lalas will make the call. Lalas loves soccer, La La Land and using umbrellas to shield himself from the La La Land sun.
On the sideline, the supremely talented Katie Witham is on the call after joining FS1 full time this offseason. She was acquired through the use of Targeted Allocation money.
On set is the dapper, suave, California resident Rob Stone. Rob is known for his perfect hair and his strong taste in suits.

Game notes

Despite a loss last weekend at StubHub Center, the Galaxy have recorded the most success at home of any team in Major League Soccer since 2013.
Last year at home, the Galaxy finished 8-1-8, scoring 32 goals and allowing just 18 for a +14 goal differential.
Since 2013, the Galaxy have gone 43-6-19 at StubHub Center while scoring 150 goals and allowing just 56 (+93 goal differential).
In that span (2013-current), the Galaxy have recorded the following at home:
- Most home goals (150)
- Most points (148)
- Fewest losses (7)
- Fewest goals conceded (56)
- Best home differential (+93)
Curt Onalfo will lead the Galaxy in his second match as LA Galaxy Head Coach.
During his time as Head Coach of LA Galaxy II in USL, Onalfo led the Galaxy to three-consecutive postseason berths (2014, 2015, 2016) while winning the USL Western Conference in 2015
During his 86 games over three seasons with LA Galaxy II, Los Dos scored 145 goals and earned +34 goal differential
Sunday’s contest marks the 17th time the Galaxy will face the Timbers, going 7-4-5 in their previous 16 contests, including a 5-1-3 record at StubHub Center.
LA also hold a +8 goal differential with 31 goals scored and just 23 conceded against Portland.
Sunday marks the first of two contests against Portland this year, with the second coming on Aug. 6 at Providence Park.

Quick hits

Marvin Gaye Lyrics

I've been really tryin', baby
Tryin' to hold back this feeling for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then, c'mon, oh, c'mon
Woooo’!
Let's score a goal
Ahhhh, baby, let's score a goal
Let's score, baby
Let's score a goal, sugar
Let's score a goal
Oooh-hooo-wooo!
We're all sensitive people
With so much more
Understand me, sugar
Since we've got to be here
Let's score

-Marvin Gaye, 1973

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Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | March 12, 2017