Starting XI
Clement Diop; Nathan Smith, Dave Romney, Bradley Diallo, Ashley Cole; Jaime Villarreal, João Pedro; Bradford Jamieson IV, Jose Villarreal, Emmanuel Boateng; Jack McInerney
Bench: Jon Kempin, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia, Raul Mendiola, Romain Alessandrini, Ariel Lassiter, Jack McBean.
Lineup notes
FOURTH OF JULY! America! Hot dogs! Beer! Sunshine!
Salt Lake City! Kyle Beckerman
! LA Galaxy games! Fireworks Show! All these things and more are distinctly America.
Curt Onalfo will make four changes to his starting XI from Saturday’s game in San Jose: Nathan Smith, Bradley Diallo, Ashley Cole and Jack McInerney start in place of Rafael Garcia, Hugo Arellano, Jelle Van Damme and Jack McBean.
Thankfully, the Galaxy get some replacements in the starting XI with the return of Ashley Cole and Bradley Diallo from injury and Nathan Smith back from suspension. The handsome French man Romain Alessandrini is on the bench as he works his way back to 100%.
Note: the LA Galaxy lineup will feature five Homegrown Players for the third time this season, which is an MLS record. The lineup overall features seven players that were either signed directly from LA Galaxy II or have spent significant time with LA Galaxy II: Clement Diop, Nathan Smith, Dave Romney, Bradley Diallo, Jaime Villarreal, Bradford Jamieson IV and Jose Villarreal.
In net, Clement Diop will continue in net for the Galaxy in what will be his 12th career start and his 10th this season. Overall, the former USL standout has made 28 saves this year as he has taken a spot in net for the Galaxy.
On the right, Nathan Smith returns to the starting XI after serving a one-game suspension during the SJ match. Smith is a young and talented outside defender who can score insane goals.
In the center of the defense, fellow LA Galaxy II product Dave Romney will make the start, marking his seventh of the season and the 19th of his MLS career. Romney has quietly become one of the most reliable and versatile defenders in MLS and been solid for the Galaxy this year.
Alongside Romney is another fellow LA Galaxy II product Bradley Diallo, who returns to the lineup after missing a few weeks with a hamstring injury. Diallo has started in six games this year and gotten better each game.
On the left side, the ageless competitor Ashley Cole returns to the Starting XI after missing Saturday’s contest. Cole is a legend and has been one of the best left backs in MLS. For a good read, check out this piece at an off-the-field look at Cole.
In the center of midfield is the talented Portuguese midfielder João Pedro, who will make his 17th start of the season, the most of any player on the LA Galaxy. João has top-notch technical ability and is finding his groove in MLS.
After making his MLS debut just last month, Jaime Villarreal will make his fourth MLS start after becoming an extremely reliable player in central midfield. Saturday will mark the fourth time overall that he and his brother, Jose, will start a match together.
On the right side of the midfield, Bradford Jamieson IV makes his second-straight start of the 2017 season after strong performances over the last week. BJIV is one of the most talented players to come through the LA Galaxy Academy and Galaxy II and will look to showcase that Tuesday.
In the center of the midfield, Jose Villarreal makes his fourth MLS start of the season. Jose has looked extremely solid in recent performances, most recently providing a beautiful cross on the Galaxy’s goal in San Jose.
You know who loves playing against RSL? You know who is really short but also really fast? If you answered Emmanuel Boateng to both answers, you are correct. He will make his 15th start of the season Tuesday. Ema has six goals and seven assists in MLS across regular season and playoffs. Five goals and three assists have come against Real Salt Lake.
Up top, Jack McInerney makes his second MLS start this season for the Galaxy. McInerney started in the team’s 2-0 Open Cup game last week and looked solid. He switches in for Jack McBean as Onalfo rotates the lineup in the midst of this busy stretch of games.
Game notes
- For the 22nd straight season, the LA Galaxy host an Independence Day match, this year taking on Real Salt Lake at StubHub Center.
- The Galaxy are 12-5-4 in the previous 21 home fixtures on America’s birthday.
- LA is 14-12-8 all-time against Salt Lake, with a 10-6-1 advantage at home.
- The two sides met once already this year, with LA Galaxy issuing a 2-1 defeat to the visitors at Rio Tinto Stadium, behind goals from Dave Romney, Emmanuel Boateng and a two-assist performance from Romain Alessandrini on March 18.
Storylines
- Can the Galaxy bounce back from a tough loss Saturday on the road?
- Will the Galaxy get on the right track at StubHub Center vs. Real Salt Lake?
- What will Jack McInerney yield up top?
- How will an adjusted backline fare against RSL?
- Will Emmanuel Boateng score/assist vs. RSL?
- If every team in Major League Soccer was Real Salt Lake, would Emmanuel Boateng be considered the greatest soccer player of all time?
Did you know – Fun Fact of the Day:
Did you know that every time Emmanuel Boateng scores against Real Salt Lake, an angel gets its wings?
*Source: Pope Francis
Confetti - Ft. Drake, Lil’ Yachty and Gucci Mane, Courtesy of Brendan Hannan
(Belly flop on that beat, so it’s not nice)
We out here sipping suds on the lanai.
Eating french toast and feeling fly.
Y’all best get ready for the 4th of July.
It’s turn up Tuesday for Independence Day against Real Salt Lake,
Curt Onalfo and the boys return home to LA with plenty at stake,
We gots the fleet feet of Ema Boateng and the beats from Lil Yachty,
And tonight, all I want, is that StubHub Center confetti all ovr ma body.
There is sure to be fireworks to light up the night sky,
Dave Romney bangers and Romain Alessandrini looking quite spry,
They’ll bring Petke, Beltran, Plata and Yura be out there getting snotty,
That don’t bother us none, cause we be getting that StubHub Center confetti all over our body.
You see Kyle Beckerman’s dreads, they pretty knotty,
I just want that StubHub Center confetti all over my body.
You know Jacquelyn Kenny, her mom is Dottie.
I just want that StubHub Center confetti all over my body.
If I had a dog, I’d buy a border collie,
As long as I got that StubHub Center confetti all over my body.
I wrote this email, because I need a hobby,
And because I want that StubHub Center confetti all over my body.
I should probably stop, because these rhymes are spotty,
Just give me that StubHub Center confetti all over my body.
- Confetti - Ft. Drake, Lil’ Yachty and Gucci Mane, Courtesy of Brendan Hannan (2017)
