LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI

David Bingham; Emrah Klimenta, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Dave Romney; Perry Kitchen, Sebastian Lletget; Romain Alessandrini, Jonathan dos Santos (c), Chris Pontius; Ola Kamara

Bench

Justin Vom Steeg, Daniel Steres, Ashley Cole, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Servando Carrasco, Emmanuel Boateng, Giovani dos Santos.

Lineup Notes

The Cali Clásico 2018 edition is here as the San Jose Earthquakes come to Los Angeles for a matchup under the Friday night lights (also a great series on television from 2006-11’).
Once again, head coach Sigi Schmid is forced to shift his lineup to accommodate for more changes as Zlatan Ibrahimovic serves his suspension. Chris Pontius will enter the lineup in what is the only change from last week’s contest.
In net, David Bingham continues as the starting goalkeeper and guardian of the Galaxy after collecting his third shutout of the season last on Monday vs. Montreal. Bingham has started in every game this year. Fun fact: he has two assists during his career. Another fun fact: he is the most famous David B in LA Galaxy history that isn’t married to a former Spice Girl.
On the right, Emrah Klimenta makes his second-straight start after making his Galaxy debut after helping the club earn the shutout in Montreal. Fun fact: He is the most famous Emrah K in LA Galaxy history.
In the center of defense, big Michael Ciani, who is bald and beautiful, will make his seventh start of the season. Ciani has put in a series of solid performances along the backline in recent weeks.
Next to Ciani is Norwegian defender Jorgen Skjelvik, who will make his 12^th start of the season, one of three Galaxy players to start in every game this year.
On the left is the athletic and versatile Dave Romney, who makes his second-straight start along the backline for the Galaxy. Romney has quietly racked up 50 career MLS appearances since becoming the first-ever LA Galaxy II player to sign with the first team.
In the center of the field, Sebastian Lletget, a native of Northern California and current lover of Southern California (and selfies [and the drink Mate]), will get the start. Sebastian will play inside, where he has excelled this year for the Galaxy.
Alongside Lletget in the center is Perry Kitchen, who has been an important member of the Galaxy’s midfield. The tireless midfielder has done the dirty work on the field this year for LA from his defensive midfield position.
On the right side of the midfield is a Frenchman named Romain Alessandrini, one of the Galaxy’s playmakers that has tallied 14 goals and 13 assists since arriving at the beginning of last season for the Galaxy.
Also in the midfield is Mexican International Jonathan dos Santos, who will look to maintain his high form before heading to camp with the Mexican National Team ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Dos Santos has now made three-straight starts for the Galaxy since returning from injury.
On the left is Chris Pontius, the man who has the best first name in the entire world. Pontius is the Galaxy’s MLS veteran, with over 250 appearances to his name and 46 goals and 29 assists to his feet/head.
Up top is Ola Kamara, who has now scored in four-straight games including the game winner earlier this week in Montreal, causing all the natives to throw their poutine away in a rage. Kamara now has 39 goals since 2016.

Game Notes

All time, the LA Galaxy have gone 30-22-14 during MLS Regular Season games against the Earthquakes.
In home matches vs. San Jose, LA are 19-6-6.
In matches played at home, the Galaxy have gone 2-3-0 this season, scoring eight goals and conceding 11.
Friday’s game will mark LA’s first match against San Jose this season, with the two sides set to face each other again on June 30 in San Jose.
The match marks the end of a three-game road for LA, who last played at StubHub Center in April.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy bounce back with a result at home after dropping their previous three home contests?
Can Ola Kamara keep scoring?
How will LA fare with Ibrahimovic out of the lineup?
Can the back line produce a second-straight shutout?
Will the first Cali Clasico of the year produce any fireworks on the field?

Quick Hits

You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon

A man walks down the field

He says why am I soft in the middle now

Why am I soft in the middle

The rest of my team is so hard

I need a photo-opportunity

I want a shot at redemption

Don't want to end up a cartoon

In a cartoon graveyard

Bonedigger Bonedigger

Dogs in the moonlight

Far away my well-lit door

Mr. Beerbelly Beerbelly

Get San Jose away from me

You know I don't find this stuff amusing anymore

If you'll be my bodyguard

I can be your long lost pal

I can call you Betty

And Betty when you call me

You can call me Al[essandrini]

A man walks down the field

He says why am I short of attention

Got a short little span of attention

And wo my nights are so long

Where's my wife and family

What if I die here

Who'll be my role-model

Now that my role-model is

Gone Gone

He ducked back down the alley

With some roly-poly little bat-faced girl

All along along

There were incidents and accidents

There were hints and allegations