Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls | April 28, 2018

modelo XI throwback
LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI


David Bingham; Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Sebastian Lletget, Perry Kitchen; Romain Alessandrini, Giovani dos Santos, Ola Kamara; Zlatan Ibrahimović.


Substitutions


Justin Vom Steeg, Emrah Klimenta, Daniel Steres, Servando Carrasco, Baggio Husidic, Emmanuel Boateng, Chris Pontius.

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls | April 28, 2018 -

Lineup Notes


  • Two-straight at StubHub Center for the LA Galaxy, this time hosting New York Red Bulls at 7:30 pm PT in another game vs. an Eastern Conference side. It’s the classic outer space vs. an energy drink storyline. Doesn’t get much better. Here’s a photo of last year’s Galaxy-Red Bulls contest. 
  • Another week, another different lineup for the LA Galaxy, as head coach Sigi Schmid makes four separate changes to the starting lineup: Romney, Ciani, G. Dos Santos and Lletget will get the start vs. NYRB. The Galaxy have yet to field the same lineup twice this year.
  • In goal on Saturday is the guardian of the Galaxy(‘s) net is David Bingham, who has played every minute this year. He continues to be the most famous David B in Galaxy history who doesn’t have his own line of underwear at H&M.
  • Out wide on the right is defender Dave Romney, who specialized in versatility, energy and handsome. Romney fills in for Rolf Feltscher, who suffered a shoulder injury this week in training.
  • In the center of defense, Frenchman Michael Ciani returns to the starting XI in what will be his third start of the year. Big Mike brings a heap of experience to the backline.
  • Alongside Ciani is Jorgen Skjelvik, whose last name is the Eighth Wonder of the World with the ability to fit so many consonants and so few vowels. Skjelvik is one of four players who has played every minute this year. 
  • On the left side of the backline is Ashley Cole, who has spent the majority of his 37 years of life by playing really good soccer and not visiting Los Angeles beaches. Cole will captain the side in his 61st MLS start.
  • In the middle of the field is Perry Kitchen, who has started all seven matches this season and been one of the Galaxy’s most important players. 
  • Alongside Kitchen is Sebastian Lletget, who takes fire selfies, maintains perfectly-groomed hairstyles and plays very good soccer. He will feature in the middle after playing out wide in recent weeks.
  • On the right is Romain Alessandrini, the French wizard who tallied 14 goals and 12 assists last year. Alessandrini is returning to pre-injury form after suffering a hamstring injury during the first game.
  • In the center of the field is Giovani dos Santos, who returns to the starting lineup in what will be his third start this year. GDS has 23 goals and 20 assists during his time in MLS.
  • Forward and Norwegian Ola Kamara has scored 35 goals since 2016 and is good at soccer and Winter Olympics (presumably).
  • Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimović, a tall man from Sweden who plays soccer.


Game Notes


  • All-time, the LA Galaxy are 17-18-8 against New York Red Bulls.
  • In matches held in Los Angeles, the Galaxy hold a 9-6-5 edge.
  • The two sides most recently met at Red Bull Arena last May, where the Galaxy played one of their best matches of the 2017 campaign.
    • In that game, Romain Alessandrini scored in the 8th and 9th minute before a Giovani dos Santos penalty kick in the 78th completed the Galaxy’s 3-1 victory that day.
  • This year at home, the Galaxy are 2-2-0, scoring six goals and allowing eight during the four games played.
  • The Galaxy hold an all-time record of 318-237-148, with 1,114 goals scored and 1,117 assists recorded.
  • LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid has gone 233-175-118 during his 19-year coaching career in Major League Soccer.
  • Saturday’s match involves a unique storyline to the LA Galaxy’s history:
  • Almost 22 years later to the exact date, the Galaxy faced New York in their first match in MLS history on April 13, 1996, earning a 2-1 win in front of 69,255 fans at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, the club’s first home.


Storylines


  • Will the Galaxy bounce back from last weekend’s result vs. Atlanta?
  • How will yet another adjusted lineup gel on Saturday?
  • Will the Galaxy get back on the score sheet?
  • How will Gio fare in his first start since injury?
  • What will Ola Kamara playing wide yield for the Galaxy’s offense?
  • Per usual:
    • How long will Zlatan play?
    • Will Zlatan score a goal?
    • Will another Zlatan goal go viral?


Quick Hits



Song Lyrics: Don't Stop Me Now — Queen


Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time


I feel alive and the world I'll turn it inside out - yeah


And floating around in ecstasy


So don't stop me now don't stop me


'Cause I'm having a good time having a good time


I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky


Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity


I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva


I'm gonna go go go


There's no stopping me


I'm burnin' through the sky yeah


Two hundred degrees


That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit


I'm trav'ling at the speed of light


I wanna make a supersonic man out of you


Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time


I'm having a ball


Don't stop me now


If you wanna have a good time just give me a call


Don't stop me now ('Cause I'm having a good time)


Don't stop me now (Yes I'm havin' a good time)


I don't want to stop at all


  • Queen (1978)


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