Starting XI presented by Modelo: New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy | July 14, 2018

StartingXI 2018
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Starting XI presented by Modelo: New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy | July 14, 2018 -

Starting XI


David Bingham; David Romney, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik; Chris Pontius, Perry Kitchen, Jonathan dos Santos; Ashley Cole; Giovani dos Santos; Ola Kamara, Romain Alessandrini


Bench


Justin Vom Steeg, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Daniel Steres, Sheanon Williams, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Ariel Lassiter.


Lineup Notes


  • Seven days was too long. The LA Galaxy are back in action this weekend, kicking off a three-game road stretch in New England.
  • Head Coach Sigi Schmid will shift his lineup with the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimović, who will take this match off due to the turf and long travel. Romain Alessandrini will take the field in his place.
  • In net is David Bingham, who will make his 19th start in goal. Bingham enters the match off his 6th shutout of the season. He’s recorded a 1.56 GAA with 68 saves on the season. 
  • The versatile, athletic and handsome Dave Romney gets another nod from Sigi Schmid, earning his sixth straight start after a string of solid performances.
  • In the center of the defense is the Big Frenchman, Big Mike, Michael Ciani, who will make his 123h start of the season and his 19th overall for LA since joining late last year.
  • Norwegian Jorgen Skjelvik will make his 19th straight start of the season, appearing in every MLS Galaxy contest this year since joining this offseason. Skjelvik and Ciani led a defensive unit that earned their sixth shutout of the season last Saturday, their first since June 9.
  • The 37-year-old Ashley Cole makes his 16th start of the MLS season in his third year as a member of the LA Galaxy. The Captain will be a little further up the field today, allowing Alessandrini to be further into the New England defense.
  • In the center of the field is Perry Kitchen, who has also made every single MLS start this season for the Galaxy after joining this offseason. Kitchen is an important piece of the midfield, doing the dirty work in the center each match.
  • Back for a second straight start is midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, who played a big part in the Galaxy’s 4-0 win ove Columbus last weekend. Dos Santos will contribute offensively and defensively Saturday, connecting the two sides of the field. He assisted the team’s game-winning goal against Columbus.
  • On the right side of the field is midfielder Chris Pontius, who has been a key, consistent player for LA in previous weeks. In his last six appearances for LA, he has scored a goal or tallied an assist. Chris is the best first name in Major League Soccer.
  • Giovani dos Santos will also make his second straight start since returning from the World Cup, In his MLS career, Dos Santos has 25 goals and 21 assists. Look for Dos Santos to connect with Kamara and Alessandrini up top throughout the evening.
  • In an advanced winger role is Romain Alessandrini, who will look to get forward more without Zlatan in play. Alessandrini came off the bench to score two goals in the Galaxy’s win over Columbus. He has five goals and one assist on the season.
  • Forward Ola Kamara is making a second straight start since returning from the injury he sustained in the U.S. Open Cup match in Portland. Kamara recorded the game-winning goal against Columbus in the Galaxy’s last time out. Kamara now has seven on the season.


Game Notes


  • The Galaxy are unbeaten in five games, their longest such streak of the season.
  • The Galaxy’s 4-0 win over Columbus was their largest margin of victory this season.
  • The Galaxy have a positive goal differential for the first time since March.
  • The Galaxy have a .500 winning percentage for the first time since mid-April.
  • The Galaxy defense returns to action after their sixth shutout of the season and their first since June 9.
  • The Galaxy are 2-3-3 on the road in 2018.
  • SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: LA: Perry Kitchen


Storylines



Quick Hits



Paul Simon Lyrics – 50 Ways to Score a Goal


The problem is all inside your head she said to me


The answer is easy if you take it logically


I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free


There must be fifty ways to score a goal


She said it's really not my habit to intrude


Furthermore, I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued


But I'll repeat myself at the risk of being crude


There must be fifty ways to score a goal


Fifty ways to score a goal


You just slip out the back, Jack


Make a new plan, Stan


You don't need to be coy, Roy


Just get yourself free


Hop on the bus, Gus


You don't need to discuss much


Just drop off the key, Lee


And get yourself free


She said it grieves me so to see you in such pain


I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again


I said I appreciate that and would you please explain


About the fifty ways


She said why don't we both just sleep on it tonight


And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light


And then she kissed me and I realized she probably was right


There must be fifty ways to score a goal


Fifty ways to score a goal


You just slip out the back, Jack


Make a new plan, Stan


You don't need to be coy, Roy


Just get yourself free


Hop on the bus, Gus


You don't need to discuss much


Just drop off the key, Lee


And get yourself free –


  • Paul Simon
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