LAGalaxy.com

Starting XI

David Bingham; Rolf Feltscher, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole ©; Jonathan dos Santos, Perry Kitchen; Romain Alessandrini, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng; Ola Kamara.

Substitutions

Justin Vom Steeg, Dave Romney, Daniel Steres, Baggio Husidic, Servando Carrasco, Sebastian Lletget, Chris Pontius.

Lineup notes

The night is always darkest just before the dawn – Harvey Dent (2008). On December 10, 2017, the beginning of a long journey to the next MLS season began. On March 3, 2018, Major League Soccer returned. The dawn has returned. #MLSisBack
The five-time MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy will kick off their 23^rd season in Major League Soccer when they host Portland Timbers at StubHub Center in front of a full house (sans Uncle Jesse) at StubHub Center.
Head Coach Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history, will coach his 572^nd game in league history across MLS Regular Season and MLS Cup Playoffs. During that time, he has recorded 256 total wins in MLS, making him the winningest coach in league history. He’ll trot out a full-strength lineup Sunday.
In net, goalkeeper David Bingham will make his LA Galaxy debut after seven seasons with the Earthquakes, which is in a less cool part of California than Los Angeles. While in the less-cool spot in California, the 2016 MLS All-Star selection recorded 27 shutouts and 288 saves in 95 starts while earning a 1.24 goals-against average (GAA). He is the second-most famous David B in Galaxy history.
On the right side of the defense is Venezuelan National Team regular Rolf Feltscher, who has a unique name, haircut and Instagram page. Feltscher will look to lock down the right back position that never featured a steady starter a year ago.
In the center of defense is the Frenchman Michael Ciani, who makes the start after getting himself a full preseason in the books (figuratively, not literally) following a late summer signing last season. Ciani is big, strong and physical.
Alongside Ciani is Norwegian defender Jorgen Skjelvik, who plays soccer as well as he fits a lot of consonants and very little vowels in his last name. The 26-year-old featured in Europe prior to joining the Galaxy and will slot in as a regular along the backline.
On the left, he’s the ageless captain, Ashley Cole, who has proved the doubters wrong since his arrival to Major League Soccer two seasons ago. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and he still hasn’t visited a beach in Los Angeles.
In central midfield is Jonathan dos Santos, who will roam all over the pitch Sunday and dictate play. Jona has the tools to be the best central midfielder in MLS and will look to excel after having a full offseason under his belt (figuratively, not literally).
Midfielder Perry Kitchen rounds out the central midfield Perry-ing (I’m so sorry for this bad pun) alongside Dos Santos. This midfielder duo – Dos Cocinas (*trademarked, Stu Holden) – will look to boss the midfield and control the game. The midfield is much like Perry’s kitchen, and he will get ready to cook up a good game (I’m so, so sorry).
Out on the right side of midfield is Romain Alessandrini, who took MLS by storm a year ago despite a down season for the Galaxy. 13 goals, 12 assists and honors as the LA Galaxy Player of the Year.
In the center of the field, Giovani dos Santos will start the year pulling the strings on offense. In three years in MLS, he’s tallied 23 goals and 20 assists. In a World Cup year, Gio will look to start the year strong.
On the left is Emmanuel Boateng, who is so fast, he can cook minute-made rice in just 14 seconds. Boateng scored four times and notched two assists last year, bringing his total to six goals and seven assists during two seasons in MLS. He will be the fastest player on the field Sunday.
Up top is striker Ola Kamara, who makes his Galaxy debut after tallying 34 goals and five assists in just two seasons with Columbus Crew SC. Fresh off of his country’s Winter Olympics triumph, Kamara is on top of the world and will look to bring back the confetti to StubHub Center.

Game notes

The Galaxy hold an all-time record of 312-234-147, with 628 goals scored and 647 assists recorded.
All time, the Galaxy are 201-80-67 during MLS Regular Season contests played at home.
The Galaxy have faced Timbers 18 times in regular season play, scoring 32 goals against the Western Conference side, going 7-6-5 all-time, including 5-3-3 during home contests.
All time, the Galaxy have gone 13-8-2 in home-opening contests.
LA have gone 16-10-7 during the month of March during their 22-year history.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid has gone 230-173-117 during his 19-year coaching career in Major League Soccer
The LA Galaxy roster features 12 new players to begin the 2018 MLS Regular Season.
Players who could make their debut for Los Angeles: David Bingham, Rolf Feltscher, Jorgen Skjelvik, Perry Kitchen, Ola Kamara, Justin Vom Steeg, Servando Carrasco and Chris Pontius.

Storylines

How will the new-look Galaxy open the 2018 season?
Can Ola Kamara score on his Galaxy debut?
How will a new backline fare against an attacking Portland side?
What will the midfield partnership between Kitchen and Dos Santos (Dos Cocinas) yield?
How will Bingham look in net during his first Galaxy appearance?
Can Romain Alessandrini replicate his 2017 fine form?
Do you want to watch this video again?

Broadcast Talent notes

The man with the golden smile, Rob Stone, will be on hand Sunday at StubHub Center to host the FS1 broadcast in what is only fitting for the start of the MLS season. A seasoned broadcast veteran, Stone does it all: broadcaster, father, fancy-jacket wearer and is the world’s happiest person ever.
The man with the red hair, Alexi Lalas, will be alongside Stone, but this time without the fruity cocktail. Alexi knows as much as anyone about Major League Soccer. If you have any questions about that, please #AskAlexi.
One of the leading voices in American soccer, John Strong will be in the booth calling the game after his rise to fame that sees him now appears regularly on celebrities shots for any major sporting event. Strong’s bald head is iconic, but his commanding voice is even more so.
On play by play is Stuart Holden, a former U.S. Men’s National Team, MLS and Frozen veteran. With nearly 30 MLS goals accounted for in four MLS seasons, Stu was a natural on the field, in the booth and next to John Strong.
One of the top sideline reporters in sports, Katie Witham will offer field-side commentary during the match. The always knowledgeable talent will speak with Sigi Schmid just after the halftime whistle. But whether she is Katie Witham, or Katie without him (I am so sorry again for these puns), you can expect the best.
On Fox Deportes play by play is new FOX Deportes star Rodolfo Landeros, who can wear the heck out of any suit and whose sense of fashion has earned the admiration of Robbie Keane. Landeros will bring some excitement to the FOX Deportes booth Sunday.
The second man in the booth will be Mariano Trujillo, a former star on the field who doesn’t look a day over 25. He is sharp, knowledgeable, fashionable and talented and he’ll complete a powerhouse duo in the booth on FOX Deportes.

Quick Hits

Preview
Here’s everything you’ll need to know for matchday
Good at soccer, good at writing. This read is well worth your time. My Road to Recovery, by Sebastian Lletget
This was awesome. Galaxy light up Santa Monica
Hungry? Great! Try the Taco of the Match

Song Lyrics

Mr. Blue Sky Lyrics – Electric Light Orchestra (1977)

Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' everybody's in a play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day, hey LA

Runnin' down the avenue

See how the sun shines brightly in the city

On the streets where once was pity

Mister blue sky is living here today, hey LA

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?