LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI

Brian Rowe; Nathan Smith, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme ©, Ashley Cole; Romain Alessandrini, Jermaine Jones, João Pedro, Emmanuel Boateng; Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes.

Bench

Jon Kempin, Rafael Garcia, Dave Romney, Baggio Husidic, Bradford Jamieson IV, Jose Villarreal, Jack McBean

Lineup notes

Trade in that Space Needle, Pike Place Market, rainy weather and hipsters for the Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, perfect weather and Ryan Gosling/Emma Stone films and there you have it: the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC on ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, in front of a full crowd at the scenic StubHub Center.
Head Coach Curt Onalfo will trot out the same 10 field players in Sunday’s game and make a switch in goal, as Brian Rowe replaces the injured Clement Diop. Last week, the same XI players started in consecutive games for the first time all season.
Brian Rowe makes his second start of 2017 and his first since the opening game of the season. In his career, Rowe has a 1.12 GAA and a 18-11-17 record as a starter in net since joining the Galaxy in 2012. Last year, he was among MLS’ best in net, going 12-5-14 with a 1.07 GAA.
On the right, Nathan “SMITTY” Smith will again get the start, marking his fifth-ever in MLS. Smith was developed in the LA Galaxy Academy before becoming a pro with Los Dos last year, where Onalfo coached him. He has been super solid on the backline this year since taking over as the starter a few games into the season.
In the center of defense, the consistent Daniel Steres will make his seventh start of 2017 and his 36^th of his career. Currently, Steres has made 37 career MLS appearances, with 35 coming at starts, since signing with the Galaxy last year after two standout seasons with Los Dos.
Big, bald, beautiful, badass, beloved, beefy, bearded and Belgian, Jelle Van Damme will once again captain the side Sunday afternoon vs. Seattle. Van Damme continues to be one of MLS’ best defenders since making Best XI last year.
On the left side of defense, the ageless Ashley Cole continues with his fourth-straight start since returning from a calf injury suffered in the preseason. Cole is arguably the best left back in MLS and has shown no signs of slowing down.
On the right side of the midfield, oh my gosh, it’s that damn Romain. He’s so hot right now. Romain. The Frenchman Romain Alessandrini, fresh off the time of his life during a ESPN FC Boot Room interview with Taylor Twellman, makes the start. He has four goals and two assists in his last four games. (Oui [“yes” for casual French speakers], that is very good).
In the center of the field, the 24-year-old João Pedro continues with his seventh-start of the season. Pedro arrived this offseason from Portugal’s top division and is one of just three players to start each match this year. He has a beautiful hairdo.
Alongside Pedro is USMNT stalwart Jermaine Jones in what forms the top hair combo in central midfield in all of MLS. Jones has looked strong in recent weeks since returning from USMNT duty, including a goal and assist in his last two games.
On the left, the oh-so-small-but-oh-so-very-fast Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Boateng makes the start. Boateng gives the Galaxy something no other player offers with his pace, and has been in fine form over the last several weeks. Boateng has a goal and two assists in his last four.
Up top, the most charming smile in Major League Soccer and the best ability to chip any goalkeeper, Giovani dos Santos will pull the strings of the LA Galaxy attack vs. Seattle. Gio has scored a goal in the first contest of the season and will look to get back on the board Sunday.
Leading the attack, Hawthorne hero and Homegrown Gyasi Zardes makes just his third start of the 2017 season. After recovering during preseason from an injury, G is back to 100% and will add a different dimension to the Galaxy’s attack.

Game notes

The LA Galaxy have gone 9-5-7 against Seattle Sounders all time in MLS play, including 5-2-3 in matches played at StubHub Center.
This year at home, LA have gone 1-2-0, scoring three goals and allowing three on the season.
Over the past five years, the Galaxy have recorded the best record at home in Major League Soccer, going 44-9-19 at StubHub Center while scoring 153 goals and allowing just 61 for a +92 goal differential.
In their most recent match, LA fell to Seattle 4-2 on Sept. 25 last season.
Romain Alessandrini has scored four goals and recorded two assists in his last four contests, more than any other player in Major League Soccer.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy bounce back from a tough loss on the road to Orlando last weekend?
Will Romain Alessandrini continue a hot start to his MLS career?
How will Brian Rowe fare in net?
How will Gyasi Zardes and Giovani dos Santos combine in their third start up top together in 2017?
Can the Galaxy backline shut down Dempsey, Lodeiro and Morris?
If you could either plan a romantic dinner at Pike Place Market in Seattle or in Santa Monica during an LA sunset, which restaurant in Santa Monica would you choose?

Quick Hits

Lionel Ritchie Lyrics – All Night Game Long

Well, my friends, the (soccer) time has come

Raise the roof and get some sun

Throw away the work to be done

Let the Galaxy play on (play on, play on)

Everybody sing, everybody dance

Lose yourself in the StubHub stands,

We going to party

Karamu, fiesta, forever

Come on and sing along

We're going to party

Karamu, fiesta, forever

Come on and sing along

All game long (all game), all game (all game)

All game long (all game), oooh yeah (all game)

-Lionel Ritchie (1983)

LAGalaxy.com -

@LAGalaxy

Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC | April 23, 2017