Starting XI

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

Bench

Justin Vom Steeg, Daniel Steres, Sheanon Williams, Servando Carrasco, Chris Pontius, Sebastian Lletget, Emmanuel Boateng

Lineup Notes

• Unbeaten in seven games, the LA Galaxy return to MLS action on Thursday evening against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium. No MLS team has scored more goals than the LA Galaxy in their last 10 games (23 goals).
• Head Coach Sigi Schmid will make three adjustments to the lineup from last weekend’s match in rainy Chester, as Ashley Cole, Perry Kitchen and Romain Alessandrini are back in the XI in place of Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Servando Carrasco and Chris Pontius.
• In net is David Bingham, who has played every minute between the pipes this year for the Galaxy. Bingham has notched 78 saves and six shutouts on the season. He is the second most famous David B to represent the Galaxy against another side from LA.
• Defender Dave Romney will start his 13^th game this season for the Galaxy, having played multiple positions for LA this year. Romney has quietly racked up 58 MLS appearances since joining the club from LA Galaxy II.
• In the center of defense is Michael Ciani, who is coming off of a great week personally: his native France won the World Cup, he scored a goal in Philadelphia and received one of the most prestigious awards in North American sports: MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week.
• The athletic Norwegian defender Jorgen Skjelvik makes the start, joining Bingham as the only two players to start in all 20 previous MLS contests. Skjelvik has adapted to MLS play and has been a steady presence in the back.
• On the left is Ashley Cole, the ageless defender who returns after serving a one-game suspension vs. Philadelphia. Cole’ six assists this season lead not just the Galaxy, but all of MLS defenders. Cole also leads MLS in the fewest amount of beach visits this year with 0.
• In the center of the field is one of the top central midfielders in MLS: Jonathan dos Santos, who has been in strong form since returning from Mexico at the World Cup.
• Alongside JDS is Perry Kitchen, who also returns from a one-game suspension due to receiving too many yellow cards. Kitchen has started in 19 contests this year, the third most on the team.
• On the right is the French Romain Alessandrini, who has two goals and four assists in his last three contests. He is coming off of two-straight games with two assists heading into Thursday night.
• Pulling the strings on offense is Giovani dos Santos, who makes his 10^th appearance of the year for LA. In his MLS career, GDS has 25 goals and 21 assists.
• Up top is Ola Kamara, who continues to finish at a high level, registering eight goals on the campaign. Kamara now has 42 total goals in three years in MLS.
• Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who plays soccer well.

Game Notes

• Overall, the Galaxy are 1-0-0 against LAFC and have never lost a match in which Zlatan scored a 40-yard volley.
• This season on the road, the Galaxy have gone 4-3-3, scoring 17 goals and allowing 15 for a +2 goal differential. 
• The Galaxy enter Thursday’s contest on a seven-game unbeaten streak in which they have scored 19 goals.
• The Galaxy are 3-0-3 when leading at halftime and 6-0-3 when scoring the first goal of the match. Conversely, they are 3-5-0 when trailing at half and 3-7-0 when conceding first this year.

Storylines

• Can the Galaxy go unbeaten in their eighth-straight game?
• How will the second LA-LAFC match compare to the dramatic first contest?
• Can Romain Alessandrini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic continue their strong form?
• Can the LA Galaxy back line shut down LAFC’s attack?

Quick Hits

• Match Preview pres. by Welch's Fruit Snacks
• LA Galaxy 2019 Season Ticket Memberships are now available
• LA Galaxy to host watch party for match at LAFC
• Relive the first LA-LAFC match
• Zlatan makes an appearance on ESPN's PTI

Albert Hammond Lyrics – It Never Rains in Southern California

Got on board a westbound seven forty-seven

Didn't think before deciding what to do

Oh, that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies

Rang true, sure rang true

Seems it never rains in southern California

Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before

It never rains in California, but girl, don't they warn ya?

It pours, man, it pours

Out of work, I'm out of my head

Out of self respect, I'm out of bread

I'm underloved, I'm underfed, I want to go home

It never rains in California, but girl, don't they warn ya?

It pours, man, it pours

Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it?

Had offers but didn't know which one to take

Please don't tell 'em how you found me

Don't tell 'em how you found me

Gimme a break, give me a break

Seems it never rains in southern California

Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before

It never rains in California, but girl, don't they warn ya?

It pours, man, it pours

• Albert Hammond (1972)