Lineup

Clement Diop; Gyasi Zardes, Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Ashley Cole; Jonathan dos Santos, João Pedro; Romain Alessandrini, Bradford Jamieson IV, Emmanuel Boateng; Giovani dos Santos ©.

Substitutions

Jon Kempin, Nathan Smith, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia, Ariel Lassiter, Jack McBean, Jack McInerney.

Lineup notes

• The Galaxy will play the second of a three-game road trip Sunday afternoon at Children’s Mercy Park when they face Sporting Kansas City.
• Head Coach Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history, will coach his 10^th contest since taking over as head coach. He will make three changes to the starting XI from Wednesday’s match as Clement Diop, Joao Pedro and Bradford Jamieson IV will start in place of Jon Kempin, Rafael Garcia and Jermaine Jones.
• In net, the young Frenchman Clement Diop will make the start, the 11^th of the season for Diop. The French goalkeeper spent years with Galaxy II as one of the best goalkeepers in USL before signing for the first team.
• At right back, Sigi Schmid will slide Gyasi Zardes into defense as the Hawthorne native plays his first match in defense. With five games left in the season, Schmid will look ahead by playing Zardes in defense to see what he can offer.
• In the center of defense, Dave Romney will again occupy a spot along the backline. Romney has been one of the Galaxy’s most important defenders in 2017, filling in whatever position needed and playing well.
• In the center of defense, he’s big, bald, beautiful and… French, Michael Ciani will make his third-straight start in a Galaxy uniform. Ciani had previously trained with the Galaxy for two weeks before his first start since joining after a career spanning across France and Spain, among others.
• On the left side of the defense, Ashley Cole will captain the side in what will be his 24^th start of the season. Cole has once again been among the best for any left back in MLS and continued to lead the Galaxy despite his age.
• Locking down the center of the field, João Pedro will return to the starting XI after not playing in Atlanta on Wednesday. It will mark the 26^th start for the Galaxy this year, tied with Boateng for the lead of all Galaxy players.
• Alongside Pedro in the center of the field is Jonathan dos Santos, who continues to impress in midfield after joining the Galaxy last month. The Mexico International will make his 7^th start of the season.
• On the right side is the French Romain Alessandrini, who has been among the best newcomers in Major League Soccer this season. He leads the Galaxy in both goals and assists with nine on the season.
• In the center of the attack is Galaxy Homegrown Player Bradford Jamieson IV, who makes his seventh start of the season. Jamieson is one of the most talented young players on the Galaxy roster and will have a chance to showcase that Sunday.
• Out left, he is incredibly small and incredibly fast, Emmanuel Boateng. He is also tied with João Pedro on the team with 26 starts on the year. He will be the fastest player on the field on Sunday.
• Up top, Giovani dos Santos will lead the Galaxy’s frontline as he looks to find his groove with a goal. In his MLS career, he has notched 23 goals and 18 assists.

Game notes

• The Galaxy lost its only meeting with SKC earlier this season, a 2-1 loss on June 24 at StubHub Center.
• All-time the Galaxy are 24-21-14 against SKC and 8-15-7 against them in Kansas City.
• This year, the Galaxy have gone 7-16-17 on the road, scoring 23 goals and conceding 28.
• The Galaxy are 5-1-1 when scoring the first goal this season and 5-2-1 when leading the game at halftime.
  • Conversely, LA have gone 2-15-2 when conceding first and are 1-11-1 in matches when trailing at the half.

Storylines:

• Can the Galaxy rebound from two-straight 4-0 losses?
• How will Gyasi Zardes fare at right back?
• What will Giovani dos Santos produce while leading the front line?
• Can Bradford Jamieson IV provide a spark in the #10 role?
• Will the Galaxy central pairing of Ciani-Romney build chemistry?
• Will the SKC crowd chant AARP at Landon Donovan, similar to last year?

The Way You Look Tonight Lyrics

Someday, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight.

Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you

And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fear apart.

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,

It touches my foolish heart.

Lovely, never, ever change.

Keep that breathless charm.

Won't you please arrange it, 'cause I love you

And the way you look tonight.

- Fred Astaire (1961)