Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | August 27, 2016

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LA Galaxy Starting XI (4-2-3-1)


Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, Leonardo, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Nigel de Jong, Steven Gerrard ©; Sebastian Lletget, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Alan Gordon


Substitutions


Dan Kennedy, A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Baggio Husidic, Jeff Larentowicz, Mike Magee, Gyasi Zardes


Lineup Notes


  • LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will again shuffle his lineup to account for the final match of three games in a week’s time as he makes seven changes to the starting lineup from Wednesday: Brian Rowe, Robbie Rogers, Leonardo, Ashley Cole, Nigel de Jong, Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos start in place of Clement Diop, A.J. DeLaGarza, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Jeff Larentowicz, Baggio Husidic and Mike Magee.
  • Bruce Arena enters the match with a 199-119-85 record all time as an MLS coach. With a win Saturday night at StubHub Center, Arena would become just the second coach in MLS history with 200 wins, joining former Sounders coach Sigi Schmid.
  • LA Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe returns to the Starting XI after missing the previous two games with a gash to his head suffered Aug. 13 against Colorado. Rowe has been one of the top ‘keepers in MLS this year.
  • On the right, Robbie Rogers returns to the lineup in his first action in over two months. His last appearance for LA was June 2nd against Kansas City at StubHub Center. After making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 28-11-18 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers has appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
  • In the center of defense, Brazilian centerback Leonardo makes his third start of the season. Leonardo, the 2015 LA Galaxy Defender of the Year, has been with the Galaxy since 2010, winning three MLS Cups.
  • Alongside Leonardo, big, bald, beautiful, bulky, blessed Belgian centerback Jelle Van Damme makes his 23rd start of the season. Van Damme joined the Galaxy this offseason and has solidified himself as one of the best in MLS. Van Damme has played himself in line for MLS Best XI and MLS Defender of the Year.
  • On the left side of defense, Englishman Ashley Cole returns to the Starting XI after coming off the bench midweek against Chicago. Cole has made 17 starts this year since joining the Galaxy from AS Roma; he is one of the top left backs in MLS.
  • In the center of the pitch, Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong gets the start after rotating out for Wednesday’s game in Chicago. In his first year in MLS, De Jong has been solid, making 17 starts for the Galaxy.
  • Alongside De Jong is midfielder Steven Gerrard, who will make his 17th start of the season for the Galaxy. On the year, Gerrard has tallied 11 assists (3rd most in MLS) while leading the league in assists per 90 minutes with .72.
  • On the right, dashing midfielder Boy Sebastian Lletget makes his second-straight start after earning an assist on the Galaxy’s game-tying goal Wednesday. This year, Da’ Boy has made 15 starts.
  • In the center of the attack, remarkably charming Mexico international Giovani dos Santos will start. On the year, Dos Santos has nine goals and eight assists. Only he and 2015 MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco have 9 or more goals and 8 or more assists on the year.
  • Out wide, the speedster Emmanuel Boateng makes his second-straight start on the left. Boateng may just be the fastest player in Major League Soccer. He has made 10 starts in his first season with LA.


Game Notes:

  • The Galaxy’s +14 goal differential this year is the best in MLS and their 26 goals allowed are second-fewest in MLS.
  • Bruce Arena has 199 wins heading into Saturday’s game, one away from becoming only the second MLS head coach to reach 200 wins.
  • In their last six MLS matches at StubHub Center, the Galaxy have allowed just three goals.
  • This season, the Galaxy are 6-0-6 at StubHub Center, scoring 24 goals while allowing just 11.
  • The Galaxy have been one of the most successful MLS teams at home during the last four seasons, scoring 141 total goals at StubHub Center, the most of any team.
  • The Galaxy’s home MLS record throughout the last four seasons is 40-5-17, with 141 goals for and just 47 against.
  • Since 2014, the Galaxy have only lost five of their previous 62 MLS games at StubHub Center.


Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy snap a five-game MLS winless streak Saturday against Vancouver?
  • Will Giovani dos Santos and Steven Gerrard’s return boost the Galaxy?
  • How will Brian Rowe look in his first action back?
  • Will the Galaxy get a win and gain momentum heading in the final stretch of the season?
  • Can Bruce Arena get win No. 200?


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