LA Galaxy Communications

LA Galaxy Starting XI

Brian Rowe; Robbie Rogers, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole; Sebastian Lletget, Steven Gerrard ©, Nigel de Jong, Emmanuel Boateng; Giovani dos Santos, Mike Magee

Substitutions

Dan Kennedy, A.J. DeLaGarza, Leonardo, Jeff Larentowicz, Baggio Husidic, Rafael Garcia, Alan Gordon

Lineup Notes

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will shift his lineup Saturday to adjust for the absences of forwards Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, who have departed for International duty with Ireland and the USMNT, respectively. Two changes from last weekend’s match against SJ will be featured: Emmanuel Boateng and Sebastian Lletget will start in place of Keane and Zardes.
Goalkeeper Brian Rowe gets the nod in net Saturday. In 2016, Rowe has appeared in 10 games and made nine starts, earning the second-highest save percentage in MLS (76.2%) and the fourth lowest GAA (1.02) in the league.
On the right, defender Robbie Rogers continues at right back. After making the move to defense full-time with a start against Chivas USA on June 8, 2014, the Galaxy have gone 28-10-17 in all MLS competitions in which Rogers has appeared, including MLS Cup Playoffs and the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
In the center of defense, Daniel Steres returns to the starting XI to make his 11^th start of the season and his 12^th appearance overall. After signing with the Galaxy from LA Galaxy II this offseason, Steres has solidified a starting position and appeared in every match this season.
Joining Steres in the central defense will be Belgian centerback Jelle Van Damme, who will also make his 11^th start of the season. Van Damme is part of a defense that holds a 1.18 GAA, the fifth best in Major League Soccer.
On the left, Englishman Ashley Cole makes his 10th start of the season. Cole has been arguably the best defender in Major League Soccer this season, helping the Galaxy to a 4-0-5 record in his nine previous starts while keeping on track to earn an MLS Best XI selection.
Out wide on the right, midfielder Sebastian Lletget gets the nod, making his ninth start of the season. Lletget, affectionately known as ‘Da Boy, has scored seven times and added four assists since joining LA last season from England’s West Ham.
In front of the backline, Nigel de Jong makes his second-straight start after returning to the lineup last weekend against San Jose, which was his first appearance since April 10. The Lawnmower has made six starts this season since joining the club from A.C. Milan.
Alongside de Jong, Englishman Steven Gerrard will don the captain’s armband against Montreal. In his first eight appearances of 2016, Gerrard has already matched his 2015 totals of two goals and three assists in MLS play.
On the left, tiny/fast Ghanaian Emmanuel Boateng makes his first start since May 8^th against New England. Boateng joined the Galaxy this offseason and has provided a spark on the wing, scoring a game-winning goal and adding two assists.
Remarkably handsome Mexican international Giovani dos Santos starts up top, making his ninth start of the season. Dos Santos is one of MLS’ most in-form players, scoring five goals and recording five assists in his last six games.
Up top, forward Mike Magee makes his 12^th appearance of the season. Magee has been a clutch signing for the Galaxy this offseason, scoring four goals and recording four assists.

Game Notes

LA are unbeaten in their last nine games and are the only one-loss team in MLS.
All-time, the Galaxy have never lost to Montreal Impact (1-0-3).
In 2016, Galaxy are 1-1-3 on the road.
Their four-game unbeaten streak on the road is tied for longest in MLS (Colorado Rapids).
The LA Galaxy lead MLS in goals (25) and assists (23) and are the only club to average more than two goals per game (2.27).
LA are the only team in MLS to have a winning record when allowing the first goal (3-1-3).
This is the only league meeting between the teams this season.
The teams have reached draws each of the last two seasons, a scoreless draw last Sept. 12 at StubHub Center, and a 2-2 draw in 2014, the first match ever between the teams at Stade Saputo.
The Galaxy have the only victory in the four meetings all-time between the clubs, a 1-0 triumph in 2013 at StubHub Center.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy find a road win for the second time this season?
How will the Galaxy fare with the absences of Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes?
Will Giovani dos Santos continue his stretch of brilliance?
Can the Galaxy defense continue their strong form in the first 11 games of the season?
How will Mike Magee and Dos Santos pair up top together?
Will Joe Tutino find any poutine-flavored chewing gum?

Quick hits

Quotable

Steven Gerrard:

“If we tighten up defensively and stop conceding goals and add a few more clean sheets, then I believe that we’ll be nearly there. I believe this team is capable of not just winning at home but also has the team to go on the road and dominate teams to get maximum points. I don’t think this club should be happy with just getting points on the road. For me, it’s the number one club in the country, and we need to prove that by going away to teams and taking maximum points.”

Mike Magee:

“When you’re with the Galaxy, you hardly notice. There are so many guys that deserve to play, and young guys that haven’t gotten many minutes. I’ve been on teams that when you lose one player it feels like the sky’s falling. But here it’s a great atmosphere, we have a lot of depth and nothing changes.”

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@LAGalaxy

Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Montreal Impact | May 28, 2016