LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI

David Bingham; Rolf Feltscher, Daniel Steres, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Perry Kitchen, Jonathan dos Santos; Chris Pontius, Romain Alessandrini, Emmanuel Boateng; Ola Kamara.

Substitutions

Justin Vom Steeg, Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Servando Carrasco, Baggio Husidic, Sebastian Lletget, Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Lineup notes

After an extremely quiet, mundane and largely uneventful week around the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center, we get another game on a Fox Network featuring the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center. This time as the LA Galaxy host Sporting Kansas City at 6 p.m. PT on FS1 and Fox Deportes.
LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid will welcome back two of his Designated Players into the starting lineup as Romain Alessandrini and Jonathan dos Santos – who both play soccer very well – make the starts, which will help in terms of playing soccer.
In net, David Bingham will continue between the pipes Sunday vs. SKC. Bingham, despite letting in three goals, played a solid game and came up with some key saves vs. LAFC. Another David B is set to be in attendance Sunday.
On the right side of the defense is the Swiss-born, Venezuelan international and language connoisseur Rolf Feltscher. Rolf’s transition to MLS has been good, as he’s secured a shaky right back position from a year ago. Rolf’s name translation in English is probably Ralf Fletcher (unconfirmed).
In the center, Dan Steres will make his third-straight start. Dan went through a normal range of emotions during the LAFC game: scoring an own-goal that put your team down 3-0 against a local, rival MLS team in their first ever game against your historically-dominant MLS team to assisting on a goal to one of the most decorated players of all time in a video that went viral and has millions of views from across the world and everyone continues to watch over and over again that completed a comeback and tied the game at 3-3. Everyone has been there, really.
Alongside Steres is Norwegian Jorgen Skjelvik, who presumably would’ve been a dominant Winter Olympic athlete for Norway had he not become a professional soccer player. The Galaxy are glad he chose the latter, as the speedy center back has been solid for LA this season. His last name defies physics by featuring six consonants and just two vowels.
Out wide on the left, the young-at-heart-but-a-little-older-in-actual-age Ashley Cole continues a legendary career with another strong season in MLS. Cole has embraced his role as the captain this year. He still hasn’t visited a beach.
In the center of the midfield, the Galaxy welcome back Mexican international Jonathan dos Santos, who spent time out of the last two games with a hamstring injury. Dos Santos is so talented, he has blessed Galaxy fans with the stuff from two saints (this was a horrible Spanish pun and I’m sorry).
Next to JDS in the midfield is Perry Kitchen, who will channel his inner Emeril Lagasse (this was a huge stretch) and cook up a great game in the center. Kitchen has been one of the Galaxy’s most valuable players this year, doing all the dirty work and holding down the center of the field in each game. Bam! More garlic!
Out wide on the right, the midfielder with the best first name in Major League Soccer, professional sports and arguably the entire world, Chris Pontius will make his second-straight start after playing a pivotal role in the comeback last weekend. It will mark his second start since joining LA this offseason from Philadelphia.
In the center of the pitch, the Frenchman Romain Alessandrini will slide inside from his usual wide position and look to pull the strings on offense Sunday. Alessandrini is making his first appearance since the Galaxy’s opening game against Portland (wouldn’t you know it, yet another game at StubHub Center broadcasted by FS1).
Out wide on the left is Emmanuel Boateng, who is simultaneously quite short and very fast. He is an icon for everyone out there shorter than 5’5”. He looked off Zlatan last week to provide the assist on LA’s second goal. He will be the fastest player on the field Sunday.
Up top, Ola Kamara makes the start after putting in an unheralded performance in which he influenced the Galaxy’s final two goals last weekend, even if it didn’t show up on the score sheet. Ola has been one of the most dangerous strikers on the field – he is really quite nice and safe off of it – in Major League Soccer in previous seasons, notching 34 goals in his previous two seasons.

Game notes

The LA Galaxy are 24-22-14 all-time against Sporting KC, but suffered two losses to SKC in 2017. Both meetings resulted in 2-1 wins for Kansas City.
The Galaxy enter the match 2-1-1 overall with seven goals scored and six goals conceded this season.
This year at home, the Galaxy have gone 2-0-0 with six goals scored and four conceded (+2 GD).
The Galaxy hold an all-time record of 317-235-148, with 1,113 goals scored and 1,116 assists recorded.
Last Saturday marked the Galaxy’s 700^th MLS Regular Season appearance game and their 350^th MLS Regular Season home game.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid has gone 232-173-118 during his 19-year coaching career in Major League Soccer.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy keep the momentum going from their dramatic victory last weekend?
How will the return of Romain Alessandrini and Jonathan dos Santos influence the lineup Sunday?
Can the defense put in a strong shift against SKC?
How will Alessandrini perform in the center of the field instead of out wide?
Per usual:
- When will Zlatan play?
- How long will Zlatan play?
- Will Zlatan score a goal?
- Will another Zlatan goal go viral?

Quick Hits

Song Lyrics: Hooked on a Feeling — Blue Swede

Ooga-chaka Ooga-Ooga

I can't stop this feeling

Deep inside of me

LA, you just don't realize

What you do to me

When you hold me

In your arms so tight

You let me know

Everything's all right

I-I-I-I’m hooked on a feeling

I'm high on believing

That you're in love with me

Lips are sweet as candy

It's taste stays on my mind

LA, you got me thirsty

For another cup of wine

Got a bug from you, girl

But I don't need no cure

I just stay affecting

If I can for sure

All the good love when we're all alone

Keep it up girl

Yeah, you turn me on