Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | October 7, 2020

XI
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Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | October 7, 2020 -

Lineup Notes:

  • Guillermo Barros Schelotto will shuffle his lineup as he accounts for three absences to starters from this weekend’s match: Jonathan Dos Santos (international duty), Rolf Feltscher (international duty) and Javier Hernandez (congrats! Birth of child!). Entering the Starting XI are Julian Araujo, Sacha Kljestan, Ethan Zubak and Efrain Alvarez.
  • In net is goalkeeper David Bingham, who makes his 176th MLS start with a match against Portland. In all, Bingham has tallied 46 shutouts in his career, including three this season.
  • Returning to the Starting XI is LA Galaxy Academy product, U.S./Mexico prospect and talented teenager Julian Araujo, who is as good on the field as he is benevolent off of it. The Lompoc product never shies away from a chance to support his community or win a tackle.
  • In the backline, it’s part one of the Los Dos pipeline central defending duo as Daniel Steres will captain the side Wednesday evening. Steres makes his 12th start of the season.
  • Rounding out los dos central defenders is Nick DePuy, who signed with the first team ahead of the season and has since become one of the most important defensive pieces for LA.
  • On the left side of the backline is Argentine Emiliano Insua, who has started every match this season and transitioned nicely to Major League Soccer after a career in various top-flight leagues in Europe.
  • 201 starts for Perry Kitchen after making No. 200 over the weekend. Kitchen does the dirty work and a lot of things that go unnoticed. He has been a mainstay in the starting lineup this year.
  • Alongside Kitchen is another US/MLS veteran, Sacha Kljestan. The SoCal native will make his 248th start in Major League Soccer. Between the central midfield duo, LA will have 449 career MLS starts.
  • Moving into the starting XI is Efrain Alvarez, the teenage sensation who has earned a consistent role this year in LA’s lineup. Alvarez, who will make you feel old when you realize he was in 2002, makes his fourth start of the season.
  • Continuing in an attacking midfield role is Sebastian Lletget, the Galaxy and USMNT standout. Lletget now has six goals on the season in just 13 starts, one shy of his career best seven goals in his debut campaign with LA in 2015.
  • Out wide is the speedy, talented and unmistakable Cristian Pavon, who has flashed his brilliance as one of the best players in MLS this season. Pavon’s quality is clear. His nine goals and 13 assists in 25 starts is evidence.
  • Up top is the engine Ethan Zubak, another SoCal product who will fill in for Javier Hernandez. Zubak makes his eighth start for the club this season.


Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy will trot out eight players born in California in their starting XI on Wednesday night, including six born in Southern California.
  • Nine players in the Galaxy’s lineup Wednesday are eligible for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
  • The LA Galaxy have had all three Designated Players start in a match just four of their 14 games this season.
  • The LA Galaxy are currently 1-0-0 all-time against reigning MLS is Back Tournament champions played during a global pandemic.
  • The LA Galaxy are 4-4-2 in their last 10 contests.
  • LA are 4-1-1 this year when scoring the first goal and 1-5-1 when conceding first.


Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy snap the losing streak with a result Wednesday?
  • How will an adjusted lineup fare against Portland?
  • More Yony? How much Yony? Can there be too much Yony?
  • How will the various absences affect Wednesday’s game?
  • What is the best movie you have seen in 2020? Please share any considerations directly or with @cwglidden.


Quick hits:


I Guess That’s Why they Call it the Blues Lyrics – Elton John


Don't wish it away


Don't look at it like it's forever


Between you and me I could honestly say


That things can only get better


And while I'm away


Dust out the demons inside


And it won't be long before you and me run


To the place in our hearts where we hide


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Time on my hands could be time spent with you


Laughing like children, living like lovers


Rolling like thunder under the covers


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Just stare into space


Picture my face in your hands


Live for each second without hesitation


And never forget I'm your man


Wait on me girl


Cry in the night if it helps


But more than ever I simply love you


More than I love life itself


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Time on my hands could be time spent with you


Laughing like children, living like lovers


Rolling like thunder under the covers


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Wait on me girl


Cry in the night if it helps


But more than ever I simply love you


More than I love life itself


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Time on my hands could be time spent with you


Laughing like children, living like lovers


Rolling like thunder under the covers


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Laughing like children, living like lovers


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


Laughing like children, living like lovers


And I guess that's why they call it the blues


And I guess that's why they call it the blues

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@LAGalaxy

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