LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI

Brian Rowe; Bradley Diallo, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme ©, Ashley Cole; João Pedro, Baggio Husidic; Gyasi Zardes, Jermaine Jones, Romain Alessandrini; Giovani dos Santos.

Bench: Jon Kempin, Dave Romney, Jaime Villarreal, Rafael Garcia, Emmanuel Boateng, Jack McInerney, Jack McBean.

Lineup notes

The LA Galaxy return for a third consecutive match at StubHub Center on Saturday, May 6 against the Chicago Fire. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted live on Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes.
Head Coach Curt Onalfo will roll out a 4-2-3-1 formation on Saturday, featuring one change to the starting lineup that drew 0-0 with Philadelphia last weekend. A healthy Gyasi Zardes returns to the frontlines of the attack in place of Ema Boateng.
In net, goalkeeper Brian Rowe will make his third-straight start as Clement Diop recovers from a hip injury. Last year, he was among MLS’ best in goal, going 12-5-14 with a 1.07 GAA. Rowe earned his first shutout of the season in the team’s most recent outing against Philadelphia.
On the right, Onalfo will give the give the start to Bradley Diallo. Diallo was one of LA Galaxy II’s best defenders in previous seasons before signing with the first team this offseason. “He’s a lockdown type of defender. You don’t have to worry about him on the wing,” Dan Steres said of Diallo after last weekend’s draw.
In the center of defense, the unfathomably consistent Daniel Steres will make his ninth start of the 2017 season. Saturday will mark his 40^th MLS appearance, all for the Galaxy.
Big, bald, beautiful, Belgian. Jelle Van Damme, the LA Galaxy captain, will continue to lead the Galaxy from his spot in central defense. The 2016 MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI defender is, arguably, again the top central defender in Major League Soccer. Inarguably, he is the most intense.
On the left, world football legend Ashley Cole makes his sixth straight start after missing the first few games of the year. After helping the team to last weekend’s shutout, Cole continues to display his quality and reliable form.
In the central midfielder role, Baggio Husidic makes his second straight start. A midfielder that can connect passes and keep the ball, Onalfo likes Husidic in the midfield so that the Galaxy can dominate possession.
Alongside Husidic is Portuguese midfielder João Pedro, who has started each game of the 2017 season. Pedro and Husidic will continue to develop their playing partnership – one that saw the Galaxy enjoy a 63% possession advantage (second-best all season) while connecting 83% (tied second-best all season) of their passes.
On the left side of the midfield, one of Major League Soccer’s best players in the earlygoings of 2017, the Frenchman Romain Alessandrini is set to make his ninth start. He leads the Galaxy in goals (4) and co-leads them in assists (2).
Playing an attacking role in the center of the field, midfielder Jermaine Jones will make the start. Jones play a role similar to the advanced position we saw him in against Philadelphia.
On the left side, LA’s own Gyasi Zardes returns after being sidelined last week with an illness. He’s tallied one assist in four appearances so far this season and will be looking to ramp up his production when he steps on the field against Chicago.
Up top, Giovani dos Santos slots into the role as a striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation. After tallying 14 goals and 12 assists in 2016, Giovani will be looking to jumpstart his 2017 campaign on Saturday.

Additional notes:

Jack McInerney returns to the 18 this week after making his LA Galaxy debut last week, subbing on for Ema Boateng in the 78^th minute.
Ema Boateng will start on the bench, likely to be substituted on in the second half as a burst of speed for the Galaxy attack.

Game notes:

All time, the Galaxy have gone 20-15-6 against the Fire, scoring 55 goals, while allowing 47 (+8).
The Galaxy are 11-6-3 all-time against Chicago Fire scoring 29 goals and allowing 20 (+9).
The Galaxy have shut out the Fire in each of their last two trips to Los Angeles.
The Galaxy has won three straight home matches against the Chicago Fire.
Against Philadelphia, the Galaxy held 63% of the possession, their second-highest possession percentage of the season (65% vs. DAL on 3/4)
Also against Philadelphia, the Galaxy completed 83% of their passes (2^nd best performance all season).
The Galaxy are 1-3-1 at StubHub Center in 2017, scoring three goals.
Over the past five years, the Galaxy have recorded the best record at home in Major League Soccer, going 44-10-20 at StubHub Center while scoring 153 goals and allowing just 64 for a +89 goal differential.
Romain Alessandrini has scored four goals and recorded two assists in his first eight appearances in a Galaxy jersey. Robbie Keane tallied five goals and three assists in his first ten games in a Galaxy jersey, Giovani dos Santos recorded five assists and three goals.

Storylines:

Will the Galaxy be able to get one win from their three-game home stand?
Will Gyasi Zardes’ return to the lineup boost the Galaxy’s attack?
Will Romain Alessandrini continue his All-Star-level play that we can from him in April?
How effective with Giovani dos Santos be in the lone striker role?
What position is the team in ahead of a four-game road stretch?
If you had to choose between watching Chicago Fire soccer or NBC's Chicago Fire, how many episodes of Chicago Fire would you watch?

Quick Hits:

Young Rascals – Good Lovin’ Goals

Good goals good goals

I was feeling so bad

I asked my family doctor just what I had

I said doctor doctor Mister MD

Get the ball to Giovani

He says Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Yes indeed

All I really need

Good goals Now gimme those good good goals

Good goals All I need is goals

Good goals Good goals baby

Honey please squeeze me tight

Don't you want your baby to be all right

I said baby now it's for sure

I got the fever you got the cure

Everybody yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Yes indeed

all I really need

Good goals Gimme gimme gimme that goals

Good goals All I need is goals

Good goals Good goals baby

Good goals good goals

Good goals All I need is goals

Good goals All I want is goals

Good goals Goals in the early morning

Good goals Good goals late at night

Good goals goals goals goals

-Young Rascals (1966)

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Starting XI: LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire | May 6, 2017

Starting XI

Lineup notes