Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire | March 2, 2019
Lineup Notes
- Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, the 2019 MLS Regular Season is back and better than ever. On Saturday, Dignity Health Sports Park is the place to be. We’ve got celebrity statue unveilings, a lion that plays soccer, rings of honor, a team called the Fire and a viral singing sensation youngster.
- New head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto makes his debut in charge of the five-time MLS Champs off of a successful tenure with Boca Juniors, one of the most successful Argentinian sides. GBS is quite familiar with MLS already, having won an MVP award and nabbing an MLS Cup Championship as a player.
- On the right is selfie and long-hair king Rolf Feltscher, a Venezuelan International outside back who will bring stability to the right back position after missing serious time last year due to injury.
- In the center is Daniel Steres, who has made 72 appearances during his time with the club since being signed after standout seasons with LA Galaxy II.
- Alongside Steres is Diego Polenta, a Uruguayan International who was a standout during his time as a pro in his native country. Polenta also loves horses. And that is cool.
- On the left is Jorgen Skjelvik, who is excellent at fitting many consonants and very few vowels into his last name. Skjelvik shifts back out to the left, his natural position, after playing last year in the center of defense.
- In the center of the midfielder is the all-world midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, one of the most talented central midfielders in MLS. JDS will look to command the game Saturday vs. Chicago.
- Alongside JDS is Servando Carrasco, an MLS veteran who gets the nod for the season opener. Carrasco has made 145 appearances in Major League Soccer during his career, the fourth-most of any player on the club.
- On the right is the handsome, talented, and Los-Angeles-loving midfielder Romain Alessandrini. Alessandrini loves a lot of things, and among those things is this club and this city. Romain also clearly loves being good at soccer, notching 24 goals and 21 assists in MLS thus far.
- In the center of the field is rookie midfielder Emil Cuello, who earns the start after being selected last month in the MLS SuperDraft (it really is a super, super draft) from SMU. The talented midfielder was born in Argentina and will be coached by his idol, GBS, while playing next to a very good soccer player from Zweden.
- On the left side of the field is the speedy Mexican youngster Uriel Antuna, who is on loan with the club from Manchester City. Antuna makes his MLS debut and will bring speed and technicality to the attack.
- Up top is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is good at soccer.
Game Notes
- The Galaxy are 21-15-7 all-time against the Chicago Fire, including 11-6-4 while at home.
- Last year, the Galaxy earned a 1-0 win on the road against Chicago behind a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
- Last year, the Galaxy were 6-1-6 when leading at the half last year, and 9-2-7 when scoring the first goal. Conversely, Chicago was 0-17-3 when allowing the first goal last year.
- Ibrahimovic was the Galaxy’s leading goalscorer last year, with 22 goals scored. He also led in assists with 10, tied with Ashley Cole.
- Saturday’s lineup will feature three players making their MLS and LA Galaxy debuts: Diego Polenta, Uriel Antuna and Emil Cuello.
Storylines
- How will the Galaxy start the 2019 season?
- How will rookie Emil Cuello fare in his debut?
- Can Zlatan pick up where he left off?
- How will the Galaxy cope with the loss of Ola Kamara?
- Can Diego Polenta anchor the defensive line?
- Will you cry during another brilliant National Anthem performance from Malea Emma?
Quick Hits
