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Starting XI

David Bingham; Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Perry Kitchen, Servando Carrasco; Romain Alessandrini, Sebastian Lletget, Emmanuel Boateng; Chris Pontius.

Bench

Justin Vom Steeg, Daniel Steres, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Emrah Klimenta, Joao Pedro, Ariel Lassiter, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Lineup Notes

It’s a beautiful Saturday in Portland as the LA Galaxy visit Providence Park to take on the Portland Timbers and the tree sawing fans that reside here. Let’s get weird.
Head Coach Sigi Schmid will adjust the lineup to accommodate for two games in a four-day span and a midday kickoff on the turf, as Chris Pontius, Emmanuel Boateng, Dave Romney, Michael Ciani all start after beginning Wednesday’s contest on the bench.
In net is David Bingham, who will make his 14^th start of the season after being acquired this offseason from San Jose. Bingham has recorded two shutouts in his previous three contests. He is the most famous David B in LA Galaxy history that doesn’t model underwear.
On the right side of the defense is the versatile Dave Romney, who has played all over the field for LA since becoming the team’s first-ever signing from LA Galaxy II. Romney has made 51 appearances in total for LA and played in every position along the backline.
In the center of the defense, he is big, bald and beautiful: Michael Ciani returns to the starting XI after beginning Wednesday’s match on the bench due to roster rotation. Ciani has been at his best in recent weeks for LA.
Next to Ciani is Norwegian Jorgen Skjelvik, who has also started in every game this season for the Galaxy. Skjelvik defies grammar by featuring six consonants and just two vowels in his last name.
On the left is the ageless Ashley Cole, who makes his 65^th appearance in all for the LA Galaxy. During those 64 previous appearances, Cole has been arguably one of the most technical and solid left backs in MLS, and perhaps the only that hasn’t visited a beach.
In the center of the field is Perry Kitchen, who has been a strong presence in the Galaxy midfield since joining this offseason. Kitchen rounds out the trio of players that has started in every MLS match this year for LA.
Alongside Kitchen is Servando Carrasco, a savvy MLS veteran who slides into the lineup in place of Jonathan dos Santos, who is with Mexico. Carrasco is one of the most experienced MLS players on LA’s roster.
On the right is the Frenchman Romain Alessandrini, who has notched 15 goals and 13 assists for LA since the beginning of last season. He will look to create chances Saturday in Portland.
Pulling the strings on offense is Da’ Boy Sebastian Lletget, who plays soccer as well as he takes impeccable selfies of himself on Instagram (cc: @theylovedaboy). Lletget has played primarily in the middle of the field this season, where he has looked comfortable.
Out wide is Emmanuel Boateng, the very-tiny-but-very-fast Ghanaian midfielder. He will add a different wrinkle to the game with his speed. He will be the fastest player on the field Saturday.
Up top is veteran Chris Pontius, who has scored 46 goals in his MLS career and has easily the best first name in the league. He makes his fifth start of the season for the Galaxy.

Additional note:

Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic begins on the bench as the Galaxy play two games in four days on turf in Portland.

Game Notes

The Galaxy are 8-6-5 against the Timbers all-time, and are 2-4-2 when in Portland.
LA met Portland in the 2018 Season opener at StubHub Center, with Ola Kamara and Romain Alessandrini providing the goals in a 2-1 victory.
This year on the road, LA have gone 2-3-1, scoring seven goals and allowing eight.
This year at home, Portland are a perfect 4-0-0 with nine goals scored and three allowed.
David Bingham, Jorgen Skjelvik and Perry Kitchen – all three added in the offseason – are the only three players to start in every MLS match for the Galaxy this season.
Yellow card watch:
- SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: POR: Diego Chara ... LA: Perry Kitchen
- SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: POR: Larrys Mabiala ... LA: Michael Ciani
LA Absences: Jonathan dos Santos, Giovani dos Santos (MEX), Efrain Alvarez (MEX U-17), Ola Kamara (Norway), Baggio Husidic (injury)

Storylines

Can the Galaxy hand Timbers their first loss at Providence Park this season?
How will the Galaxy offense look with Kamara/Ibrahimovic out of starting XI?
Can the Galaxy backline stop the in-form Portland attack?
Who will create chances for LA?
How many minutes will Ibrahimovic play on the turf?
Is the Eggs Benedict served at Urban Farmer in the Nines Hotel the best in America?

Quick Hits

Barry White Lyrics — Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe

(Spoken)

I've heard people say that

Too much of anything is not good for you, baby

Oh no

But I don't know about that

There's many times that we've soccer’d

We've shared soccer and made soccer

It doesn't seem to me like it's enough

There's just not enough of it

There's just not enough

Oh oh, babe

(Sung)

My darling I, can't get enough of your soccer babe

Girl, I don't know, I don't know why

Can't get enough of your soccer, babe

Oh, some things I can't get used to

No matter how I try

Just like the more you give, the more I want

And baby, that's no lie

Oh no, babe

Tell me, what can I say?

What am I gonna do?

How should I feel when everything is you?

What kind of love is this that you're givin' me?

Is it in your pass or just because you're sweet?

Girl, all I know is every time you're here

I feel the change

Somethin' moves

I scream your name

Do whatcha got to do

Darling, I, can't get enough of your soccer babe

Girl, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know why

I can't get enough of your soccer babe