Starting XI presented by Modelo: LAFC vs. LA Galaxy | August 25, 2019

Lineup Notes:

If you like 6’5” international superstars, freeway traffic, fun soccer and smog, then you’re in luck: the LA Galaxy, featuring a 6’5” international superstar, take on LAFC in Los Angeles, which consistently has both traffic and smog, in a fun soccer game Sunday evening. Wow!
LA Galaxy Head Coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto will make one change to his starting XI from last weekend’s match, replacing Dan Steres (red card suspension) with Giancarlo Gonzalez, marking the Galaxy being able to play with 11 players for the first time in over 80 minutes. Useful!
In net is David Bingham, who boasts eight shutouts and 109 saves on the year with the Galaxy after starting in every match this season. The LA Galaxy have the highest percentage in MLS history of giant statues built for each player named David B with a 50% ratio all time.
Out wide on the right is Rolf Feltscher, a man whose name is widely known for relieving a very awkward silence during a Galaxy game earlier this season. Rolf also has been the Galaxy’s most consistently used player at right back this year, racking up 18 starts on the year. Consistent!
In the middle of the pitch is Giancarlo “Pipo” Gonzalez, who joined the club from Serie A this year and has previous MLS (Columbus) and World Cup (Costa Rica) experience. He also has experience saying “Pura Vida” as a response to most things in life. Pura Vida!
Alongside Pipo is Diego Polenta, the strong and solid Uruguayan central defender who joined the club this season after taking time away from playing soccer to live on a ranch and raise horses. We’ve all been there. Polenta has been among the top players for the Galaxy backline this season. Yee-haw!
On the left is Jorgen Skjelvik, whose last name has among the highest consonants to vowels ratio in Major League Soccer. Skjelvik has played in his natural left back position this season, making 16 starts. Cnsnnts!
In the center of the field is Jonathan dos Santos, who has been exceptional this year bossing the midfield around. JDS has made 22 starts for the club this season, tied for the second-most of any field player. A lot!
Pairing up with JDS is Sebastian Lletget, who has played alongside his friend in the central midfield during previous weeks and is coming off a top performance vs. Seattle while playing down a man. It was the Lletget-JDS central midfield combo that saw the Galaxy change their form towards the end of last season. Pairing!
Out wide on the right is the speedy and nimble Uriel Antuna, who has become a regular in the Galaxy XI after joining at the beginning of the season from a relatively well-known club in England: Manchester City. Antuna’s motor is endless. Vrrrrroooom!
Out wide on the left is Cristian Pavon, who joined on loan a few weeks prior and has put in some impressive performances during his three starts for the Galaxy. Perhaps his most impressive performance was leading a professional orchestra as a conductor on a soccer field.
Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Zlatan plays forward. Please Google “lion” for more information.

Game Notes:

The LA Galaxy are 2-0-2 all-time against LAFC.
Sunday will mark the Galaxy’s second match at Banc of California Stadium, tying 2-2 in their first game last fall.
On the road, LA have gone 4-7-1 in MLS play this year.
In those road games, the Galaxy have scored 11 goals while conceding 20.
The Galaxy are 11-1-0 this season when scoring the game’s opening goal, and 2-10-1 when conceding first.
When leading at halftime, LA are 6-2-0. They are 7-2-2 when tied at halftime.

Storylines:

What will this year’s second edition of the LA-LAFC produce?
How will the Galaxy backline handle LAFC’s attack?
What will we see from Zlatan?
Can Pavon notch his first goal?
What playoff implications will the match have?

Quick Hits:

Match preview:https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/08/23/match-preview-presented-welchs-fruit-snacks-lafc-vs-la-galaxy-august-25-2019
Zlatan on the philosophical difference between weak people and strong people: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/08/23/watch-zlatan-ibrahimovic-la-galaxy-match-against-lafc-weak-people-fail-strong-people?autoplay=true
Zlatan up for a Puskas:https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/08/19/vote-now-zlatan-ibrahimovics-500th-goal-nominated-puskas-award
DHSP – the world’s most sustainable soccer stadium:https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/08/12/staying-alive-dignity-health-sports-park-world-s-most-sustainable-soccer-stadium

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce

If I could save time in a bottle

The first thing that I'd like to do

Is to save every (soccer game)

'Til eternity passes away

Just to (play) them with you

If I could make (soccer games) last forever

If words could make wishes come true

I'd save every (soccer game) like a treasure and then

Again, I would (play) them with you

But there never seems to be enough time

To (play) the (games) you want to (play)

Once you find them

I've looked around enough to know

That you're the one I want to (play soccer)

(games) with

If I had a box just for wishes

And dreams that had never come true

The box would be empty

Except for the memory

Of how they were answered by you