Starting XI: David Bingham; Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Perry Kitchen, Sebastian Lletget; Romain Alessandrini, Giovani dos Santos, Ola Kamara; Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Bench: Justin Vom Steeg, Emrah Klimenta, Daniel Steres, Servando Carrasco, Jonathan dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng, Chris Pontius.
Lineup Notes:
- S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y, HEY! On Saturday, the LA Galaxy are in Houston against the Western Conference Dynamo inside their super orange stadium.
- For the first time all season, Sigi Schmid will start the same XI players in consecutive matches, making no changes to last weekend’s starting lineup against New York at StubHub Center.
- In net, David Bingham continues to play after making every start this season and playing in every-single minute possible this year. Bingham is second in Major League Soccer in saves with 30 on the season.
- On the right is Dave Romney, a natural left back that can also play right back, either central back position, midfield and probably piano, guitar, the flute and violin, too, since he is apparently good at everything. Romney filled in last week for an injured Rolf Feltscher and played a solid game.
- In the center of defense is Michael Ciani, a strong defender who made the start last weekend and put in a strong performance. It will mark his fourth start of the season.
- Alongside Ciani is Jorgen Skjelvik, who hails from the land of Winter Olympic champions and has started each match since the Galaxy acquired him and his six consonant, two vowel last name this offseason.
- On the left is Ashley Cole, who will captain the side in Houston. The 37-year-old Cole has still put in a strong performance this year despite having lived as long as the equivalent of 112,629-straight showings of the two-hour-and-forty-minute Avengers: Infinity War.
- In the center of the field is Perry Kitchen, who has been one of LA’s most valuable players this season since returning to MLS this offseason. The former D.C. United standout has started in every game this year. This Kitchen’s remodeling of the LA Galaxy midfield this year would even make Chip and Joanna proud.
- Alongside Kitchen is Sebastian Lletget, who put in one of his best performances of the year last weekend while playing in the center of the field. He will look to help the Galaxy dictate control Saturday in Houston.
- Out wide on the right is Romain Alessandrini, who continues to come back into form after missing time since an injury on opening day. Alessandrini was one of MLS’ best newcomers last season, tallying 14 goals and 12 assists.
- In the center of the field is Giovani dos Santos, who scored a goal last week in his first start since returning from a hamstring injury. Dos Santos put in one of his best shifts of the season last year and will look to keep up his form against the Dynamo.
- Out wide is Ola Kamara, who will continue in the different position after featuring there last weekend against NYRB, where he excelled and scored his second goal of the season. He also hails from the land of Winter Olympic dominance.
- Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimović, an experienced soccer player who has done well for himself.
Game Notes:
- All-time, the LA Galaxy are 10-9-7 against the Houston Dynamo.
- The Galaxy have lost just one of their last eight matches against Houston, going 4-1-3 in those contests.
- In the last two matches between LA-HOU, there have been a total of 10 goals scored.
- In matches held in Houston, the Galaxy are 5-6-3.
- The Galaxy have earned a result against Houston in each of their five previous meetings and in each of their three most recent trips to Houston.
- In their last matchup, Romain Alessandrini and Bradford Jamieson IV scored in a wild 3-3 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium.
- The Galaxy are 1-1-1 on the road in 2018 while the Houston Dynamo are 2-2-0 at home.
- In their last road contest, the LA Galaxy earned a 1-0 win against Chicago Fire with a game-winning header from Zlatan Ibrahimović.
- LA’s road win in Chicago snapped an 11-game winless streak on the road.
- The last time the Galaxy won consecutive road games was nearly a year ago in May 2017.
Storylines:
- Will the Galaxy bounce back from last weekend’s result vs. NYRB?
- Can the Galaxy find two consecutive wins on the road?
- Will the Galaxy build off last weekend’s performances with a new lineup formation?
- Can Giovani dos Santos replicate his strong performance last weekend?
- How will the backline fare against Houston’s attack?
- Per usual:
- How long will Zlatan play?
- Will Zlatan score a goal?
- Will another Zlatan goal go viral?
Quick hits:
- Preview:
- Zlatan on his acclimation to MLS:
- Rolf out four months after surgery:
- Happy Anniversary, StubHub Center:
- Check out this goal – Galaxy Academy product Efrain Alvarez scored a banger for Los Dos last night:
https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2018/05/04/goal-efrain-alvarez-scores-his-first-professional-goal-los-dos?autoplay=true
Faithfully – Journey (1983)
Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin' all my love
Along the wire
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line
It's been you and me
And lovin' a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
Oh girl you stand by me
I'm forever yours, faithfully
Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns
To make us smile
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am
Lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy
Of rediscovering you
Oh girl, you stand by me
I'm forever yours, faithfully
