Starting XI presented by Modelo: FC Cincinnati vs. LA Galaxy | June 22, 2019

Lineup Notes:

• The LA Galaxy return to MLS action as they travel to the land of chili on spaghetti with 3 cups of cheese on top for their first-ever match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.
• Guillermo Barros Schelotto will adjust the squad to accommodate for international call ups, as Sebastian Lletget returns to the lineup, Julian Araujo makes his start after returning from U-20 WC duty and Zlatan makes his first appearances since the beginning of the month.
• Goalkeeper David Bingham starts his 51th MLS straight game in the net since joining the Galaxy. He most recently appeared in the Galaxy’s shutout win over OCFC last week.
• On the right is youngster Julian Araujo, who gets his fourth start of the season since signing with the club ahead of the start of this year. He recently returned from a trip with the U.S. U-20 World Cup squad.
• Daniel Steres makes his 17^th start this year. In addition to his stellar play along the backline, Steres has racked up three goals on the year.
• Alongside Steres in the center is Diego Polenta, the horse-loving Uruguayan. This year, Polenta has made 13 appearances, all starts, in his first year with the Galaxy.
• Out wide on the left, Dave Romney, the versatile defender who has played every position along the backline. It will mark his 62^nd MLS start of his career.
• Completing the midfield mix is Joe Corona, the 28-year-old U.S. Men’s National team veteran who was signed to the Galaxy through the use of Target Allocation Money on March 6. Corona is set to make his 15^th start in MLS this season.
• Midfielder Perry Kitchen makes just his second start of the MLS season Saturday night after missing the first part of the year due to injury. Kitchen will be a key component in the absence of Jonathan dos Santos.
• Making his 16^th-straight MLS start of 2019 is midfielder Sebastian Lletget, who will make the 80^th start of his MLS career. In all, he has 12 goals and 14 assists.
• Favio Alvarez is slated to make his fifth-straight MLS start for the Galaxy since signing earlier this year. Alvarez has provided a key spark to the Galaxy offense since joining.
• Out wide is Emmanuel Boateng, who will make his 63^rd MLS start for the Galaxy. Boateng will be the fastest player on the field Saturday.
• Zlatan Ibrahimović also starts. He’s good at soccer.

Game Notes:

• The Galaxy are 0-0-0 against FC Cincinnati as Saturday marks their first-ever contest.
• This year on the road, LA have gone 3-3-1.
• On the road, the Galaxy have scored 8 goals while also conceding 8 goals.
• The Galaxy are 8-0-0 this season when scoring the game’s opening goal, and 1-6-0 when conceding first.
• When leading at halftime, LA are 5-0-0. They are 4-2-0 when tied at halftime. 

Storylines:

• Can the Galaxy return to MLS action with a strong result?
• Will Zlatan get back on the score sheet Saturday night?
• How will the team with the absence of Jonathan dos Santos, Uriel Antuna, Rolf Feltscher and Giancarlo Gonzalez?
• Can Zlatan and Favio build on their attacking chemistry?