Lineup Notes:
- The LA Galaxy will travel for a road contest after three-straight home matches, facing Portland Timbers on Saturday evening in front of an all-star broadcast team on FS1 and also the Portland Timbers fans.
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto will make no changes to the starting group from last Friday’s MLS win over LAFC as he trots out the same eleven players.
- U.S. goalkeeper David Bingham starts his 56th straight MLS game in the net since joining the Galaxy. He has made 86 saves this season through 21 starts.
- At right back is Rolf Feltscher, the veteran Venezuela international that recently re-joined the squad after returning from Copa America duty. It will mark the 14th start of the year for the man with perfect hair.
- Daniel Steres makes his 22nd start this year. In addition to his stellar play along the backline, Steres has racked up three goals on the year, which (still) remains the second most on the team.
- In his fourth-straight start since returning from Gold Cup action is Costa Rican Giancarlo Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been in strong form this year since joining the Galaxy from Serie A, and converted the winning penalty kick Tuesday in the Leagues Cup match vs. Tijuana.
- Out wide on the left is Diego Polenta, who loves three things and three things only: soccer, riding horses in Uruguay and playing great defense. Polenta again slides left outside his normal central position.
- Midfielder Jonathan dos Santos once again will patrol the midfield in his third-straight start since his return to the LA Galaxy starting XI after scoring the match winner against the USMNT in the Gold Cup Final. JDS remains in top form.
- Alongside Dos Santos in the midfield mix is Joe Corona, the U.S. Men’s National team veteran who was signed to the Galaxy through the use of Target Allocation Money on March 6. Corona is set to make his 19th start in MLS this season.
- Once again slotting into the lineup is the talented youngster and USYNT player Julian Araujo, who will play higher up the field. Araujo brings speed, athleticism and defensive cover on the right.
- Favio Alvarez is slated to make his 10th-straight MLS start for the Galaxy since signing earlier this year. Alvarez has provided a key spark to the Galaxy offense since joining the club, including the game-winning assist vs. LAFC.
- Out wide is Uriel Antuna, who continues in the XI with his third-straight start after a breakout performance with Mexico at the Gold Cup. Antuna was one of the top performers for his country and has brought back that momentum to the Galaxy.
- Zlatan Ibrahimović starts at forward.
Game Notes:
- The LA Galaxy (12-8-1, 34 points) are 9-6-6 all-time vs. the Portland Timbers.
- This year on the road, the Galaxy are 4-4-1.
- On the road, LA have tallied 10 goals while conceding 11 goals.
- The Galaxy are 10-1-0 this season when scoring the game’s opening goal, and 2-7-0 when conceding first.
- When leading at halftime, LA are 6-2-0. They are 6-2-1 when tied at halftime.
Storylines:
- Can the LA Galaxy make it three-straight wins in all competitions Saturday at Portland?
- Will Zlatan put in another dominant performance?
- Can Julian Araujo continue to influence higher up the field?
- How will the same Starting XI fare against Portland?
Quick Hits:
- Zlatan: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/07/25/zlatan-ibrahimovic-talks-lafc-controversy-major-league-soccer-and-previews-portland?autoplay=true
- Juan Carlos Ortega takes over Galaxy Academy: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/07/19/la-galaxy-name-juan-carlos-ortega-director-methodology-and-development
- Safe standing is here: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/07/11/la-galaxy-create-safe-standing-supporters-section-dignity-health-sports-park
- Zlatan on important matters: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/07/18/what-does-zlatan-ibrahimovic-think-inside-area-51-answer-will-astound-you?autoplay=true
Elton John Lyrics – Your Song
It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money, but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song, and this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple, but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple, but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
