Starting XI
Brian Rowe; Pele van Anholt, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Ashley Cole ©; Jermaine Jones, João Pedro; Gyasi Zardes, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Jack McInerney.
Bench
Jon Kempin, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia, Jonathan dos Santos, Ariel Lassiter, Jaime Villarreal, Jack McBean
Lineup notes
- Brunch! Mimosas! Eggs benedict! Unforgiving heat! 11 a.m. PT MLS soccer games! Two straight weeks with LA Galaxy matches vs. MLS sides from the Pacific Northwest on ESPN! What could be better? Nothing. Except for the Eggs Benedict at The Nines Hotel in Portland.
- Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history, will coach his second game as head coach of the LA Galaxy since 2004. He will make two changes to the starting XI from last weekend’s match as Dave Romney and Jack McInerney slide into the lineup in place of Jelle Van Damme (suspended) and Romain Alessandrini (not 100%).
- In net, Brian Rowe will continue in net as the first choice goalkeeper in Schmid’s lineup. Rowe put in a solid shift last weekend in net, recording his second shutout of the year and his 16th of his career. Rowe is 21-14-20 as a starter in MLS.
- At right back, Pele van Anholt will make his second-ever start after his debut last week in the shutout vs. Seattle. Remarkably, the Galaxy have never, ever – not a single time – lost a game in which Pele has played. He had a solid outing in his first ever appearance vs. Seattle.
- He’s not particularly big, definitely not bald and is not Belgian, but he is beautiful: Dave Romney, the Galaxy’s most versatile defender, will slide into the starting lineup in place of the actual big, bald, beautiful Belgian Jelle Van Damme, who is serving a suspension after a red card vs. Seattle.
- Alongside Romney is Daniel Steres, who also was signed from the LA Galaxy’s developmental system as a member of LA Galaxy II. Steres has been the Galaxy’s steadiest defender since arriving last year, making 45 starts.
- On the left, the ageless and young-at-heart Ashley Cole again makes the start, the 43rd of his MLS career. Cole has been as good as one could have hoped since signing for LA before last season.
- The most talented Jermaine since that of the Jackson Five, Jermaine Jones makes his third-straight start after an extended period of injury. Jones put in arguably his best performance of 2017 last week against Seattle, playing his role as the No. 6 well under new coach Sigi Schmid.
- Alongside Jones is João Pedro, the talented Portuguese midfielder who has developed into a mainstay in the Galaxy lineup and one of the more unheralded midfielders in MLS. Pedro will look to lock down the center of the field alongside Jones against a top-notch Portland midfield group. NOTE: Pedro will don No. 88 Sunday as Jonathan dos Santos will now have the #8 jersey.
- Out wide on the right, Gyasi Zardes slides back into the winger position after playing there well for the USMNT in Gold Cup action under Bruce Arena. Zardes fills in for Romain Alessandrini, who is not 100% after picking up a knock last week.
- In the center of the field, Mexico International Giovani dos Santos will look to get going as he pulls the strings on offense. GDS has 23 goals and 18 assists in his MLS career and will look to get going Sunday.
- Out wide on the left, Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Boateng will again make the start. Boateng is very short and equally very fast. He will look to stretch the field against Portland and will, once again, be the fastest player on the field.
- Up top, making his 100th career MLS start is Jack McInerney. McInerney faces his former team in Portland and will look to score his first for the Galaxy. In his career, he has 43 goals in MLS.
Additional notes
- Jonathan dos Santos has received his ITC and will be available for selection on Sunday. He flew to Los Angeles from Mexico on Thursday night and trained with the Galaxy for the first time on Friday morning, before traveling with the team to PDX. He will wear #8.
Game notes
- In their first 2017 meeting, the Galaxy fell 1-0 to Timbers FC at StubHub Center earlier this year.
- LA has had success on the road this year, leading MLS with five road wins.
- They have recorded a 5-4-1 record on the road this year, scoring 21 goals in 10 matches.
- In Portland, the Galaxy have gone unbeaten in their last three visits.
- In matches at Providence Park, the Galaxy have recorded a 2-3-2 all time, scoring 11 goals in seven matches.
- Last time in PDX, LA won 2-1 behind goals from Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes.
Storylines
- How will the Galaxy fare in their first road match under Sigi Schmid?
- Can the Galaxy get a result on the road against Portland?
- How will the heat and early start affect the game?
- Can Jack McInerney find the back of the net against his former team?
- Will Jonathan dos Santos see any minutes on Sunday?
- What kind of shorts will Taylor Twellman wear with his suit jacket?
- If you could choose between an unlimited supply of Voodoo Doughnuts for life or visiting Los Angeles just once, where would you visit in LA?
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Shadows grow so long before my eyes
And they're moving across the field
Suddenly the day turns into night
Far away from the city
Don't hesitate
'Cause your game won't wait
Oh baby I love your play, everyday
Wanna tell you I love your play, everyday
Wanna play with you night and day
Moon appears to shine and light the sky
With the help of some firefly
Wonder how they have the power to shine, shine, shine
I can see them under the pine
Don't hesitate
'Cause your game won't wait
Oh baby I love your play, everyday
Wanna tell you I love your play, oh
Wanna play with you night and day, oh yeah
– Peter Frampton – Baby, I love your Way Play (1964)
