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Starting XI

Brian Rowe; Rafael Garcia, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme ©, Dave Romney; Sebastian Lletget, Joao Pedro, Jermaine Jones, Romain Alessandrini; Giovani dos Santos, Jack McBean

Bench: Clement Diop, Nathan Smith, Jaime Villarreal, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Jose Villarreal, Ariel Lassiter

Lineup notes

#MLSisBack! Major League Soccer and the LA Galaxy kick off the 2017 season with a big-time matchup Saturday afternoon in Curt Onalfo’s debut as LA Galaxy Head Coach.
Onalfo will trot out a lineup blended with youth and experience, including four players that have spent significant time with LA Galaxy II, three players with USMNT experience and three Designated Players with experience at the international level.
In net, goalkeeper Brian Rowe gets the nod after a rowe-lly good season last year. He made 31 appearances, with a 1.07 GAA, one of the fewest in MLS, while earning nine shutouts and a 12-5-14 record.
On the right, the dependable veteran Rafael Garcia makes the start at right back. While playing as a central midfielder to start his career, Garcia has contributed at right back over the last two seasons and earned the trust of Onalfo and staff this preseason while training exclusively at the RB position.
In the center of the field, Daniel Steres continues as the Galaxy’s starting central defender after a breakout year in 2016 that saw him earn 31 appearances, tied for the most of any field player for the Galaxy last season. Steres previously played under Onalfo with LA Galaxy II, earning GII Defender of the Year honors in consecutive seasons.
He’s big, bald, beautiful, boisterous, bonkers, brash and Belgian. He’s Jelle Van Damme, and he’s the 2017 LA Galaxy captain. The 2016 MLS Best XI member will lead the Galaxy backline as LA kick off the season Saturday.
On the left side of the backline is Dave Romney, the first ever LA Galaxy II player to sign an MLS contract with the first team. Dave is as talented as he is handsome, and he is very handsome. Romney fills in at left back as Ashley Cole recovers from a calf injury.
On the right side of the midfield is Da’ Boy Sebastian Lletget. Llet is very, very good at taking selfies, grooming his hair and playing soccer. He recently made his USMNT debut in 2017 and looks poised for a breakout season this year in MLS.
In the center of the pitch, the 23-year-old João Pedro makes his MLS debut after being acquired this season using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). With loads of potential and some top experience in Portugal’s top division, Pedro could be one on MLS’ top newcomers this season.
Alongside João is MLS and USMNT midfielder Jermaine Jones. Jones, at age 35, has shown no signs of slowing down after being one of the Galaxy’s best players this preseason. He has 37 MLS appearances in two and a half seasons in MLS, while leading his team to deep playoff runs during his time with NE and Colorado. Jones and Pedro form arguably MLS’ top central midfield pairing.
On the left, the handsome Frenchman Romain Alessandrini, the Galaxy’s newest Designated Player, makes his MLS debut on Saturday. Alessandrini is an incredibly fast and talented winger from France’s Marseille that could make a splash for the Galaxy. He joined just under two weeks ago, but will look to start strong.
Up top, the undeniably-charming and talented Mexico international Giovani dos Santos gets the start. Last year, Gio had 14 goals and 12 assists, one of two MLS players with 10+ goals and assists on the season. This year, he’s looking for more.
Alongside Dos Santos is Southern California native Jack McBean, who makes his 10^th start in MLS. Last year, McBean tore up USL for Los Dos before a loan spell in England. He will look to continue his hot form from last year in MLS.

Additional notes:

· Gyasi Zardes, Ashley Cole, Robbie Rogers are unavailable for selection due to injury

Game notes

The Galaxy open up 2017 at StubHub Center, where they have found success over the last few seasons.
Last year at home, the Galaxy finished 8-1-8, scoring 32 goals and allowing just 18 for a +14 goal differential.
In the past four years, the Galaxy have gone 43-6-19 at StubHub Center while scoring 149 goals and allowing just 56 (+93 goal differential).
Curt Onalfo makes his debut as LA Galaxy head coach Saturday vs. FC Dallas.
During his time as Head Coach of LA Galaxy II in USL, Onalfo led the Galaxy to three-consecutive postseason berths (2014, 2015, 2016) while winning the USL Western Conference in 2015
During his 86 games over three seasons with LA Galaxy II, Los Dos scored 145 goals and earned +34 goal differential
The matchup marks the 69th time that the Galaxy have faced FC Dallas in the MLS Regular Season, with the Galaxy going 33-23-12.
In those contests, LA have scored 118 goals while allowing 90. The Galaxy are 11-8-2 all time in opening matches.

Storylines

How will the Galaxy fare in their first match of 2017?
Can Jack McBean/Giovani dos Santos combine up top to bang in some goals for the Galaxy?
How will an adjusted backline fare against a high-powered attack from FC Dallas?
What will the Galaxy’s new pieces look like in their first match together?
How will Curt Onalfo open his account as LA Galaxy Head Coach?
How many seer-sucker suits will be worn by broadcast talent with the 1 p.m. PT kickoff?

Quick hits

Jackson Five Lyrics

You and LA must make a pact, we must bring soccer back
Where there is soccer, LA’ll be there
LA'll reach out our hand to you, LA'll have faith in all you do
Just call our name and LA’ll be there
And oh - LA'll be there to comfort you,
Build our world of soccer around you, LA's so glad that we found you
LA'll be there with a love that's strong
LA'll be your strength, LA'll keep holding on - yes LA will, yes LA will

-The Jackson Five (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael)

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