Starting XI presented by Modelo: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy | October 21, 2018

StartingXI 2018
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Starting XI presented by Modelo: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy | October 21, 2018 -

Starting XI


David Bingham; Rolf Feltscher, Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Ashley Cole (c); Romain Alessandrini, Sebastian Lletget, Jonathan dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Ola Kamara, Zlatan Ibrahimovic


Bench


Justin Vom Steeg, Sheanon Williams, Jorgen Skjelvik, Servando Carrasco, Perry Kitchen, Baggio Husidic, Ariel Lassiter.


Lineup Notes


  • With two games left, the LA Galaxy are in Minnesota today ready to take on MNUFC in a must-win game. With a loss or a draw, the LA Galaxy will be eliminated from playoff contention.
  • Sunday’s meeting will mark the second of the season between the two teams. The two sides drew 2-2 on Aug. 11 at StubHub Center earlier this season. Romain Alessandrini and Sebastian Lletget scored for the LA Galaxy in that match.
  • Rolf Feltscher returns from yellow card suspension to give Dominic Kinnear that same lineup that gave him conseucitve 3-0 victories over Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC late last month. Today marks Kinnear’s 5th game as Interim Manager. He’s 2-1-1 in this late run.
  • In net, David Bingham will get his 33rd start of the MLS Regular Season, playing every single minute between the pipes this year for the Galaxy. Bingham has played all 34 games only twice in his eight-year MLS career, in 2015 and 2016 with the San Jose Earthquakes.
  • Rolf Feltscher was suspended for the Galaxy’s 1-1 draw with Sporting KC on Oct. 6 for yellow card accumulation. He spent the international break with Venezuela in Spain. His previous two starts were shutout performances.
  • Anchoring the back line is Daniel Steres in a fourth straight start. Steres’ only other run of consecutive starts was a stretch of five starts that lasted from March 24 to April 21.
  • Dave Romney makes his 23rd consecutive start of the season, one of Kinnear’s best utility defenseman available. The Galaxy are 10-7-9 when Dave Romney has played this season; that’s a PPG total higher than any other Galaxy defender.
  • Veteran Ashley Cole will captain the side from the left back position. Cole has recorded eight assists on the campaign this season, the most of any MLS defender and second to only Zlatan Ibrahimović on the Galaxy.
  • On the right, the speedy and dangerous Emmanuel Boateng gets his 11th start of the season for the Galaxy. It’ll be Boateng’s fourth consecutive start, a season high for him.
  • In the middle is Sebastian Lletget, who is ready to make his 81st appearance in an LA Galaxy uniform. He scored last time out against Minnesota.
  • Next to Lletget is Jonathan dos Santos, one of the biggest keys to the LA Galaxy’s success in their late season run. The Galaxy are 10-7-4 with JDS on the field, the best PPG of any Galaxy player with over 10 appearances.
  • On the left is Romain Alessandrini, who has tallied 10 goals and seven assists in his second MLS campaign so far. He also scored against Minnesota this season, with one of his best strikes of the season.
  • Up top is Ola Kamara, one of the Galaxy’s hardest working players. He’s also got 11 goals and 3 assists to his name this season. His third straight MLS season of 10+ goals.
  • Leading the way is Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is set to make his first start on turf this season. He’s got 21 goals and nine assists in 25 appearances. His 1.38 goals/assists per game average is one of the best in MLS history. 


Game Notes


  • The Galaxy are 12-11-9 on the year, with 61 goals scored and 60 goals conceded.
  • The Galaxy are the second-highest scoring team in the Western Conference.
    • Minnesota have allowed the second most goals in the Western Conference this season.
  • This year, the Galaxy are 4-7-5 on the road. MNUFC are 10-5-1 at home.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimović averages 1.375 goals or assists per 90 minutes this season.
  • Romain Alessandrini has recorded 7 goals and 6 assists in his last 11 appearances. In that stretch, he’s only gone two matches without getting on the scoresheet.
  • The Galaxy are 5-1-6 when leading at halftime and 8-2-7 when scoring the first goal of the match.
    • Conversely, they are 4-8-1 when trailing at half and 4-9-1 when conceding first this year.
  • Heading into the weekend, LA Galaxy sit seventh in the Western Conference standings, four points off of 6th place Real Salt Lake.


Storylines


  • It’s a must-win for the Galaxy. Can they get all three points against a big crowd in Minnesota?
  • How will Zlatan Ibrahimović perform in his first start on turf?
  • The backline in action for the Galaxy today has started together twice in Dom Kinnear’s four games as interim manager. They earned shutouts in both matches. How will they perform today?


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