Starting XI: David Bingham; Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik; Ashley Cole (c); Chris Pontius, Perry Kitchen, Joao Pedro, Bradford Jamieson IV, Romain Alessandrini; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Bench: Justin Vom Steeg, Daniel Steres, Sheanon Williams, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Baggio Husidic, Ariel Lassiter.
Lineup notes:
- Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer Soccer!
- Amidst the World’s biggest tournament taking place in Russia, the LA Galaxy will return to MLS action this Saturday as they take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium in the finalCalifornia Clásico of the year. More soccer for everyone!
- Head Coach Sigi Schmid will trot out a lineup that is missing several key players due to recovering from injury, as Ola Kamara, Sebastian Lletget, Rolf Feltscher, Servando Carrasco and Emmanuel Boateng are all not 100% and Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos are at the World Cup with Mexico.
- In net, David Bingham continues for the Galaxy after making every start this season. His start Saturday comes against his former team in a setting he knows well. Bingham was 3-0-1 at Stanford Stadium during his time with the Earthquakes.
- In defense, the versatile Dave Romney will get the nod after a string of solid performances this season for the Galaxy in a number of different positions. Romney has racked up 53 MLS appearances since signing with the Galaxy from LA Galaxy II.
- In the center of the defense, he’s big and French and will be extra happy today since his country advanced in WC action: Michael Ciani. Ciani has been a key component of the Galaxy’s back line this season after joining the club late last year.
- Alongside Ciani is the athletic Norwegian defender Jorgen Skjelvik, who has had a strong showing of late for the Galaxy. Skjelvik has started in every contest this year for the Galaxy.
- On the right side of the field is Chris Pontius, who has taken an increased role in minutes while the Galaxy’s lineup has shuffled in recent months. Pontius brings a wealth of MLS experience to the lineup, with 229 appearances throughout his career.
- In the center of the field is Perry Kitchen, who has been an workhorse this year for LA after returning to Major League Soccer this offseason. Kitchen has started every MLS game this season for LA.
- Alongside Kitchen is Joao Pedro, who makes his first MLS start of the season for the Galaxy. Last year, Pedro made 30 MLS appearances, scoring a goal and adding two assists.
- On the left is captain and legendary defender Ashley Cole, who has put in another solid year thus far for the Galaxy. The 37 year old Englishman has made 66 MLS appearances.
- Adding to the Galaxy attack is LA Galaxy Homegrown player Bradford Jamieson IV, who has been a big spark offensively for the Galaxy. BJIV has some of the best technical skills on the team and will look to showcase that Saturday.
- French midfielder Romain Alessandrini will play high up the field Saturday evening and look to contribute to the Galaxy’s attack. Alessandrini has 15 goals and 13 assists since joining LA last year.
- Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has played soccer well throughout his career.
Game Notes:
- All time, the LA Galaxy have gone 31-22-14 during MLS Regular Season games against the Earthquakes.
- Saturday’s game will mark LA’s second and final match against San Jose this season.
- In their first contest, the LA Galaxy earned a 1-0 win at StubHub Center behind a second-half goal from Romain Alessandrini.
- The match will mark the LA Galaxy’s seventh at Stanford Stadium, going 1-4-1 in their previous six contests there.
- This year on the road, the Galaxy are 2-3-2 while SJ are 1-4-2.
- David Bingham, Jorgen Skjelvik and Perry Kitchen – all three added in the offseason – are the only three players to start in every MLS match for the Galaxy this season.
- Yellow card watch:
- SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: LA: Perry Kitchen
Storylines:
- Can the Galaxy find a result at Stanford Stadium?
- How will the Galaxy fare with several key absences?
- What will Zlatan do in his first Cali Clasico?
- How will the atmosphere at Stanford Stadium affect the contest?
- Will there be more late game drama vs. SJ?
Quick hits:
- Match preview:
- LA Galaxy back in action:
- Zlatan bares all:
- Capsule Collection. The LA Galaxy collaborated with Port during the WC:
- LA Galaxy x Port Lookbook:
Timing:
- 5:30 pm PT – LA Galaxy arrive
- Postgame:
- If win: player on field
Barry White Lyrics – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe
My first, the last, my everything
And the answer to all my dreams
You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star
My kind of wonderful, that's what you are
I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way they could have made two
You're all I'm living for, your love I'll keep forevermore
First, you're the last, my everything
And with you I've found so many things
A love so new, only you could bring
Can't you see it's you? You make me feel this way (Can't you see it's you?)
You're like a first morning dew on a brand new day
I see so many ways that I
Can love you 'til the day I die
You're my reality, yet I'm lost in a dream
You're the first, the last, my everything
I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way they could have made two
Girl, you're my reality, but I'm lost in a dream
You're the first, you're the last, my everything
You and me babe is you
