LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire: Lineups, match thread, and more

There have been two possible lineups discussed this preseason, one more traditional replacing Landon Donovan with Michael Stephens, and one more experimental with Sean Franklin moving to the midfield, A.J. DeLaGarza moving into his spot and then Leonardo filling in DeLaGarza's spot.

A new look lineup for the LA Galaxy

It looks like Arena is not resting on his haunches, mixing things up from the formula that won the LA Galaxy two MLS Cups. However it's worth noting that to start the 2011 season, Leonardo started next to Omar Gonzalez on the back line. It was his season ending knee injury that sprang A.J. DeLaGarza off the bench permanently. Leonardo only got the role because Gregg Berhalter was dealing with injuries and did more coaching than playing in 2011.

Letting Franklin run the wings worked well for Arena last year; with Clark on the opposite side and Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas with the pace to keep up the Galaxy will look to have a quicker attack capable of spreading out a defense.

Two rookies on the bench in Charlie Rugg and Greg Cochrane. Expect one of either Hector Jimenez or Michael Stephens to come off the bench first.

Chicago Fire: Johnson; Anibaba, Berry, Kinney, Segares; Nyarko, Larentowicz (C), Lindpere, Duka; Rolfe, Santos

LA Galaxy Subs: Jimenez, Garcia, Rugg, Perk, Stephens, Cochrane, McBean

Chicago Subs: Tornaghi; Videira, Paladini, Thompson, Atouba, Alex, MacDonald

Kickoff: 2:00

Television: Time Warner Sportsnet, UniMas (formerly Telefutura) nationally

Weather: 72 and partly cloudy

Referees: Kevin Stott; Brian Poeschel; Anthony Vasoli; Daniel Radford