Starting XI

David Bingham; Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik; Chris Pontius, Jonathan dos Santos, Servando Carrasco, Dave Romney; Giovani dos Santos; Ola Kamara, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C).

Bench

Justin Vom Steeg, Daniel Steres, Sheanon Williams, Baggio Husidic, Romain Alessandrini, Ariel Lassiter, Emmanuel Boateng.

Lineup Notes

Cheesesteaks, Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V,

and Trey Burton to Nick Foles – these are quintessential Philadelphia. Tonight, quintessential Philadelphia becomes the LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium under the
California Sun
Chester rain.

LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid will make three changes to the starting XI for Saturday’s contest, as Tomas Hilliard Arce, Servando Carrasco and Zlatan Ibrahimovic make the starts in place of last week’s starters Ashley Cole, Perry Kitchen and Romain Alessandrini.

In net, David Bingham continues in net for the Galaxy after player every minute between the pipes for LA this season, posting six shutouts and recording 72 saves on the year. He is the second most famous David B to represent the Galaxy in Philadelphia.

The second overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, Tomas Hilliard-Arce gets the start in the city where January’s draft was held. Hilliard-Arce has looked solid in his three previous starts on the season.

In the center of the defense is Michael Ciani, who is in high spirits after last weekend’s victory of his native France in the World Cup. Ciani has 13 starts this year in central defense for LA after arriving mid-season last year.

Rounding out the back line is Jorgen Skjelvik, who has started in all previous 19 MLS games for the Galaxy this season. The athletic, left footed center back joined the Galaxy this offseason.

On the right is Chris Pontius, who returns to Philadelphia after playing for the Union in previous seasons. Pontius is on a great stretch that has seen him either score or assist in seven-straight games for the Galaxy.

In the center of the field is Jonathan dos Santos, who will start in his third-straight game since returning to the Galaxy since his time with Mexico in the World Cup. The Galaxy are 2-0-0 since he returned.

Alongside Dos Santos is Servando Carrasco, who will make his sixth start of the season. Carrasco joined this offseason and has been a reliable presence when called upon.

On the left is Dave Romney, who makes his 12^th start of the season and has become a key member of the Galaxy this year, playing in multiple positions for the club. Overall, Romney has made 57 appearances since signing for the first team from LA Galaxy II.

Pulling the strings on offense is Mexico international Giovani dos Santos, who will operate as the playmaker Saturday night. In his MLS career, Dos Santos has tallied 25 goals and 21 assists.

Up top is Ola Kamara, the Galaxy’s second-leading scorer on the season with seven goals this year. In his MLS career, Kamara now has 41 total goals, one of the best marks in the previous three years of any player in MLS.

Leading the attack is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who plays soccer at a high level.

Game Notes

Overall, the Galaxy are 6-1-3 against the Philadelphia Union, including 2-0-2 in Chester.
The Galaxy enter Saturday’s contest on a six-game unbeaten streak in which they have scored 16 goals, as many goals as the club had scored in their previous 12 MLS matches combined.
Since May 12, Chris Pontius has been involved in 44% of LA’s goals, recording eight goals/assists in his last seven games.
This year on the road, LA have gone 3-3-3, scoring 14 goals and allowing 14 goals.
Saturday will mark the Galaxy’s first MLS this year without Perry Kitchen in the lineup.

Storylines

Can the Galaxy go unbeaten in their seventh-straight game?
How will the Galaxy cope with the loss of assist-leader Ashley Cole, out on suspension?
Will Zlatan and/or Chris Pontius continue their hot forms in recent weeks?
Can the Galaxy back line shut down Philly’s attack?
How will tonight’s weather play a factor?

Quick Hits

Elton John Lyrics – Philadelphia Freedom

I used to be a rolling stone you know

If a cause was right

I'd leave to find the answer on the road

I used to be a heart beating for someone

But the times have changed

The less I say the more my work gets done

'Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom

From the day that I was born I've waved the flag

Philadelphia freedom took me knee high to a man, yeah

Gave me a piece of mama, daddy never had

Oh Philadelphia freedom, shine on me, I love you

Shine the light, through the eyes of the ones left behind

Shine the light, shine the light

Shine the light, won't you shine the light

Philadelphia freedom, I love-ve-ve you, yes I do

If you choose to you can live your life alone

Some people choose the city (some people the city)

Some others choose the good old family home (some others choose a good old)

I like living easy without family ties (living easy)

Till the whippoorwill of freedom zapped me

Right between the eyes