Starting XI
David Bingham; Rolf Feltscher, Daniel Steres, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Romain Alessandrini, Perry Kitchen, Jonathan dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget; Ola Kamara, Zlatan Ibrahimović
Substitutions
Justin Vom Steeg, Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Servando Carrasco, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Chris Pontius
Lineup Notes
It’s Soccer Saturday for the LA Galaxy, who travel to the land of deep dish pizza, a giant bean, lots of wind and different colored socks that throw baseballs for a contest against the Chicago Fire (the MLS team, not the TV show) live on Univision. For all the millennials out there, the game will also be on Twitter.
LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid will shift his lineup Saturday, making two changes to the Starting XI as Sebastian Lletget and a promising striker from Sweden will both make the start in a 4-4-2 formation.
David Bingham continues to lead the Galaxy in between the pipes after starting in the Galaxy’s first five games of the season, earning a 2-2-1 record on the year.
Out wide on the right is Rolf Feltscher, who has solidified the right back position for the Galaxy after a year of several faces in 2017. Feltscher arrived to the Galaxy this offseason after playing in Spain, Italy and England, he was born in Switzerland and represents the Venezuelan national team.
In the center of the defense is Daniel Steres, who makes his 54th MLS start for the LA Galaxy and his fourth-straight start in the backline this season. Steres has been one of the most consistent members of the Galaxy lineups over the last three years.
Next to Steres is Norwegian defender Jorgen Skjelvik, ;who rounds out the central defender pairing. Between Steres and Skjelvik, the Galaxy have an experienced duo along with 10 consonants and just four vowels in their last names.
On the left is the ageless, timeless, Ashley Cole, who will continue to captain the team this season after Sigi Schmid named the Englishman captain this offseason. Captain Cole continues to be a solid defender at the age of 37 years young.
Out wide on the right is Frenchman Romain Alessandrini, who will make his second-straight start after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Romain will look to recapture his 2017 form that saw him 13 goals and 12 assists.
In the center of the defense, Perry Kitchen will continue after starting in each of the Galaxy’s five previous contests this year. Kitchen has been one of LA’s top players this season.
Alongside Kitchen is Jonathan dos Santos, who returns to the lineup for the second-straight match after missing two due to injury. Dos Santos will be an important piece on Saturday, covering a lot of ground in the center of the field.
On the left, the Galaxy welcome Sebastian Lletget back into the starting XI, who makes his fourth start of the season Saturday. Saturday will mark his 47th MLS start.
Up top, goalscoring Norwegian Ola Kamara makes the start, fresh off of a three-year contract signed this week with the Galaxy. 34 goals in the last two seasons is the third most in Major League Soccer.
Alongside Kamara up top is Zlatan Ibrahimović, a relatively-unknown Swedish player that has shown potential from time to time.
Game Notes
The LA Galaxy are 20-15-7 all-time against Chicago Fire, going 9-9-3 in all road competitions.
They met once in 2017, when LA Galaxy rallied at StubHub Center to draw 2-2 after being down 2-0 at halftime.
A header from Daniel Steres and successful penalty kick from Giovani dos Santos secured a point for the Galaxy at home in the contest last May.
The Galaxy enter the match 2-2-1 overall with seven goals scored and eight goals conceded this season.
This year on the road, LA have gone 0-1-1 with one goal scored and two conceded.
The Galaxy hold an all-time record of 317-236-148, with 1,113 goals scored and 1,116 assists recorded.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid has gone 232-174-118 during his 19-year coaching career in Major League Soccer.
Storylines
Can the Galaxy find their first road win of 2018?
How will the adjusted lineup fare on the road in Chicago?
What will Zlatan do in his MLS debut start?
Can Romain Alessandrini find his pre-injury and 2017 form?
Can the Galaxy backline hold off Chicago’s attack?
Per usual:
How long will Zlatan play?
Will Zlatan score a goal?
Will another Zlatan goal go viral?
Quick Hits
- Match Preview pres. by Welch's
- Ola Kamara ready to get back on the scoresheet
- This week in history: LA Galaxy's first game
- Zlatan to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week
Song Lyrics: Lovesick Blues — Hank Williams
I got a feelin' called the blues, oh Lord, since my baby said goodbye
Lord I don't know what I'll do, all I do is sit and sigh "Oh Lord"
That last long day she said goodbye, well Lord I thought I would cry
She'll do me, she'll do you, she's got that kinda lovin'
Lord I love to hear her when she calls me sweet daddy
Such a beautiful dream, I hate to think it's all over
I've lost my heart it seems, I've grown so used to you somehow
Well I'm nobody's sugar daddy now
And I'm lonesome, I got the love sick blues
Well I'm in love, I'm in love with a beautiful gal
That's what's the matter with me
I'm in love, I'm in love with a beautiful gal
But she don't care about me
Lord I've tried and I've tried to keep her satisfied
But she just wouldn't stay
So now that she is leavin', this is all I can say
Hank Williams (1949)
