Lineup Notes:
- It’s Saturday night soccer and the LA Galaxy take the field for the second time in the MLS is Back Tournament, this time facing one of Major League Soccer’s football clubs, LAFC.
- LA Galaxy Head Coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto will make three changes to their second group stage contest: Julian Araujo, Joe Corona and Emil Cuello slot into the lineup for Sacha Kljestan, Cameron Dunbar and Javier Hernandez (Hernandez picked up a calf knock late this week and is unable to play in Saturday’s game).
- In net, David Bingham will continue between the pipes for LA. Since joining in 2018 from San Jose, Bingham has been the guy in net for the Galaxy. He has 166 total MLS appearances heading into Saturday’s game.
- Venezuelan international Rolf Feltscher, who is actually an incredible singer, continues on the right side of the defense. The CONMEBOL vet has been the Galaxy’s first-choice right back since joining the club.
- Continuing in the middle is Daniel Steres, one of the longest-tenured member of the LA Galaxy, who is set to make his 104th appearance as a member of the club.
- Costa Rican international Giancarlo ‘Pipo’ Gonzalez will once again get the nod alongside Steres. Gonzalez has featured in 40 previous MLS games, including 17 with the Columbus Crew in 2014. Pura vida.
- The well-traveled veteran left back Emiliano Insua makes his fourth start for the club since joining this offseason. He has featured for teams in England, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Germany, including for the Premier League winners, Liverpool.
- Getting his debut MLS is Back Tournament start is talented youngster Julian Araujo, the 18-year-old defender. The Lompoc, CA product already has 18 appearances with the first team. He will push higher of the field Saturday.
- Getting the start after serving a one-game suspension is midfielder Joe Corona, the USMNT and Liga MX veteran who brings a savvy presence to the center of the field for LA.
- Rounding out the central midfield pairing is fellow U.S. and MLS veteran Perry Kitchen, who makes his second-straight start with the absence of Jonathan dos Santos (injury).
- Out wide on the left is Emil Cuello, the LA Galaxy’s 2019 MLS SuperDraft selection. The Argentine born and Utah raised midfielder will make his third start for the club.
- Playing higher up the field is Da’ Boy Sebastian Lletget, the versatile USMNT player who can play in virtually any offensive position. He makes his 94th start and 115th appearance for the club on Monday.
- Pulling the strings on offense is the very talented Argentine Cristian Pavon, who has lit it up since joining the Galaxy last summer. The winger tallied four goals and 8 assists in 14 appearances since joining LA last year.
Game notes:
- Since 1996, this is the second match that the LA Galaxy will play on the Walt Disney World campus’ ESPN Wide World of Sports during a global pandemic.
- The LA Galaxy are 0-0-1 all time in MLS is Back Tournaments during their storied 25-year history.
- The LA Galaxy have only conceded two goals in their entire 25-year history during MLS is Back Tournament play.
- Conversely, the LA Galaxy have scored 1 goal all-time in MLS is Back Tournaments since 1996.
- South Florida native Chris Glidden once played a high-school JV football (read: American football, not proper global football) game on the ESPN Wide World of Sports field that will be used for Monday night’s contest.
- He was primarily used as a punter during his short career of tackle football, which lasted one season.
Match Storylines:
- Can the Galaxy pick up valuable points in their second contest to put them in a position to advance to the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16?
- Where will the goals come from Saturday for the Galaxy?
- Can LA’s backline shut down LAFC’s attack?
- How will Emil Cuello fare in his third start for the club?
- How will GBS utilize 5 substitutions in the Florida heat?
- Can Pavon continue his fine form from the start of the year/last season?
Quick hits:
- Match preview:
- LA Galaxy unite with all area pro teams to form The Alliance: Los Angeles
- Our players explained their social justice messages on their jerseys:
- Pretty sick. Drive-in Watch Party at Rose Bowl didn’t disappoint:
- Academy product Cam Dunbar impresses in debut:
- New merch. The Galaxy revealed the TOGETHER AT HOME clothing collection so you can look good while you stay safe at home:
- Black lives matter. Check out the LA Galaxy’s resources for helping in the fight against racism:
Saturday Night Lyrics – Bay City Rollers
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
Gonna keep on dancin' to the rock and roll
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Dancin' to the rhythm in our heart and soul
On Saturday night, Saturday night
I-I-I-I just can't wait
I-I-I-I gotta date
At the good ol' rock and roll
Folk show, I've gotta go
Saturday night, Saturday night
Gonna rock it up, roll it up
Do it all, have a ball
Saturday night, Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night
Gonna dance with my baby till the night is through
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Tell her all the little things I'm gonna do
On Saturday night, Saturday night
I-I-I-I love her so
I-I-I-I'm gonna let her know
At the good ol' rock and roll
Folk show, I've gotta go
Saturday night, Saturday night
Gonna rock it up, roll it up
Do it all, have a ball
Saturday night, Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
