Lineup Notes
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto is forced to make one change to his Starting XI from a week ago, as Dave Romney enters the lineup after a midweek injury was sustained by Diego Polenta (strained abductor). Zlatan Ibrahimović and Romain Alessandrini remain in the Starting XI for a second straight week after returning from injury.
- Goalkeeper David Bingham returns in net – he’s started every MLS match for the Galaxy since his signing in January 2018. Through four games, Bingham and the LA Galaxy defense have posted a 1.5 GAA.
- Venezuelan international Rolf Feltscher will man the right side of the backline. The routine right back starter made 15 appearances last year, missing out on half the season due to a right shoulder injury that caused him to miss four months.
- In the center is Daniel Steres, who has made 76 appearances during his time with the club since being signed after standout seasons with LA Galaxy II. Steres was one of LA Galaxy II’s first signings when the club was founded in 2014. Steres scored the Galaxy’s first goal of the season in the Home Opener on March 2.
- For the first time this year, Dave Romney, will start alongside a familiar partner in Steres. Polenta’s injury marks the first time this season that Feltscher-Steres-Polenta-Skjelvik haven’t started together. Romney and Steres were center back partners for the Galaxy’s run at the end of last season, when they went 3-1-1 with two shutouts against Seattle and Vancouver late last September.
- Out wide is Jorgen Skjelvik, who is on the left flank for his fifth-straight match to start the season. Left back is Skjelvik’s natural position, although he played the entirety of last year in central defense.
- In the center of the midfield is Mexican international Jonathan dos Santos, one of the most talented central midfielders in MLS. He was named L.A. Riot Squad’s Man of the Match for his performance last weekend against Portland Timbers. Dos Santos is not too far removed from his first international goal from Mexico, which came in a 4-2 win over Paraguay at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. He was named Man of the Match for his performance in that match as well.
- Making his fourth straight start of 2019 is midfielder Sebastian Lletget, who returned to action last week for the Galaxy after an international break spent with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Lletget made two substitute appearances with the USMNT, playing 28 minutes in the 1-0 win over Ecuador, and 56 minutes in the team’s 1-1 draw with Chile. Lletget’s first goal of the season for the Galaxy came as a game-winner against Minnesota on March 16.
- Completing the midfield mix is Joe Corona, the 28-year-old U.S. Men’s National team veteran who was signed to the Galaxy through the use of Target Allocation Money on March 6. The Corona-Lletget-Dos Santos midfield has helped the Galaxy to a 85 percent passing accuracy since he joined, with a 75 percent passing accuracy in the attacking half.
- On the left will be the young Mexican international Uriel Antuna. Antuna continues to impress after another commendable performance against Portland. With exceptional pace, Antuna gives the LA Galaxy another great option to get forward.
- On the right, the birthday boy (April 3) and newest member of the 30-year-old club Romain Alessandrini will return after clocking 74 minutes in the Galaxy’s win over the Timbers. The strikingly handsome Frenchman returned to the pitch for the first time since March 2, when he was forced to withdraw from the contest after a non-contact hamstring injury just 20 minutes in. Since his signing ahead of the 2017 season, Alessandrini has tallied an impressive 24 goals and 21 assists in 55 starts.
- It’s been two games and two game-winning goals for Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2019. Would you bet against a different outcome today?
Game Notes
- The Galaxy are looking for their first road win of the season.
- LA lost 2-0 to FC Dallas on March 9 at Toyota Stadium.
- The last time the LA Galaxy earned four wins in their first five games? 2010.
- LA are 10-5-5 all-time against Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Last season at Dignity Health Sports Park (Sept. 29, 2018): Zlatan Ibrahimović scored two goals and Romain Alessandrini added another as the LA Galaxy rolled to a 3-0 home rout.
- Last season at BC Place (March 24, 2018): A defensive effort from the Galaxy earned them a 0-0 draw.
Storylines
- Can the LA Galaxy make it a three-game win streak?
- The last time they did so was a run of wins against Columbus, New England and Philadelphia on three consecutive Saturdays last July.
- How will Zlatan Ibrahimović look on turf?
- Can the Dave Romney and Dan Steres centerback pairing lead LA Galaxy to their first shutout of the year?
- Will the Lletget, Corona and Dos Santos midfield continue to control the game for the LA Galaxy?
- Romain Alessandrini returns to the site of his first LA Galaxy goal. Can he get his first of the season tonight?
Quick Hits
