LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy | Oct. 20, 2019

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Starting XI presented by Modelo: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy | Oct. 20, 2019 -

Lineup Notes:

  • The 2019 MLS postseason is here, and the LA Galaxy are playing in the match to close out the opening weekend of the playoffs in a road contest against Minnesota United at Allianz Field in the land of Prince, Juicy Lucy and people incessantly… asking you to be quiet?
  • LA Galaxy Head Coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto will shuffle his lineup for Sunday’s game as Giancarlo Gonzalez gets the start at right back and Perry Kitchen fills in for an injured Joe Corona in the center of the field.
  • Goalkeeper David Bingham will start in net for the Galaxy after making 33 starts for the club and leading Major League Soccer in saves this season. Bingham has been a bright spot in his second season as a member of the LA Galaxy. He is the most famous David B in club history that wasn’t invited to the royal wedding.
  • On the right side of the defense is Giancarlo Gonzalez, who has experience playing out wide in addition to his natural center back position. Giancarlo brings a veteran presence who has played in the top level of competition across the world.
  • Continuing in the XI is Uruguayan Diego Polenta, the 2019 LA Galaxy Defender of the Year. He finished the regular season with 28 starts, one goal and six assists, which is tied for the fourth-most among MLS defenders. He loves ranches, he loves horses and he loves great defense.
  • Alongside Polenta in the center is Daniel Steres, who finished a strong year with the club after starting in 30 games during the regular season. Steres also tallied three goals on the season, tied for the third most on the team.
  • Continuing out wide on the left is Dave Romney, who made 10 starts during the regular season for LA. Romney, the first-ever player to sign with LA Galaxy from LA Galaxy II, has played solid in the home stretch of the season. He will be unable to check the score of one of his five different fantasy football teams during Sunday’s game.
  • Sitting deep in the midfield is MLS veteran Perry Kitchen, who will log his first minutes since the beginning of August. He brings with him 197 previous MLS appearances, which is not a little.
  • In the center is Jonathan dos Santos, who had a career year with LA in the center of the field. He is arguably the top central midfielder in MLS and has been a vital component of the Galaxy’s defense, midfield and attack.
  • Pushing up higher in the midfielder is Sebastian Lletget, who has become an attacking threat late in the season. Lletget made 27 starts for LA this year and slots into the lineup after returning from USMNT duty earlier in the week.
  • Out wide on the right is Cristian Pavon, who is figuratively on fire and literally very, very good at playing soccer. Pavon, in just 11 appearances with the Galaxy, has notched three goals and eight assists.
  • Out wide on the right is Uriel Antuna, the speedster and engine who finished second on the team this year in goals with six on the season. Antuna returns from yet another solid showing with the Mexico National Team.
  • Up top is Zlatan. He is tall.


Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 4-0-2 all-time against Minnesota United.
  • On the road, LA are 2-0-1 against Minnesota, including 0-0-1 at Allianz Field.
  • During the regular season, LA went 5-10-2 with 22 goals scored and 34 conceded.
  • The Galaxy are 13-2-1 this season when scoring the game’s opening goal, and 3-13-1 when conceding first.
  • When leading at halftime this season, LA went 7-2-1. They were 9-4-2 when tied at halftime and 0-9-0 when trailing at halftime.
  • The Galaxy will bring over 200 supporters with them into Allianz Field Sunday night.


Storylines:

  • Will the Galaxy score first?
  • How will an adjusted backline fare against Minnesota’s attack?
  • Can Zlatan produce magic in the MLS playoffs?
  • How many minutes will Alessandrini see Sunday?
  • Can Pavon continue his hot form?
  • How will Perry Kitchen look in his first action in over a month?


Quick Hits:


My Way – Frank Sinatra

And now, the end is near


And so I face the final curtain


My friend, I'll say it clear


I'll state my case, of which I'm certain


I've lived a life that's full


I traveled each and every highway


And more, much more than this, I did it my way


Regrets, I've had a few


But then again, too few to mention


I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption


I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway


And more, much more than this, I did it my way


Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew


When I bit off more than I could chew


But through it all, when there was doubt


I ate it up and spit it out


I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way


I've loved, I've laughed and cried


I've had my fill, my share of losing


And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing


To think I did all that


And may I say, not in a shy way


Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way


For what is a man, what has he got?


If not himself, then he has naught


To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels


The record shows I took the blows and did it my way


Yes, it was my way

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@LAGalaxy
LA Galaxy

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