LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers, 2017 Major League Soccer: Predicted lineup

So about that whole trying to keep a consistent starting lineup throughout the course of the season? Well, that’s already out the window with the suspensions of Jermaine Jones and Dave Romney after DisCo through the hammer down.

How is Curt Onalfo going to lineup his guy’s in Week 2 of the MLS season? We take a stab in the dark.

Goalkeeper: Brian Rowe

No change here. Brian Rowe, despite giving up two goals to one of the most potent offense’s in the league, looked okay. He came off his line well and commanded the box with his usual presence.

Defense: Rafael Garcia, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Nathan Smith

This is defense is going to be the biggest question mark. We know who’s going to fill Jermaine Jones spot in midfield, what we don’t know is who is going to replace Dave Romney at left back.

There’s a couple of different options here.

First, the Galaxy can through the inexperienced Nathan Smith in at left back and hope that he can hold his own throughout the 90 minutes. Smith has played with the Galaxy this year, but that came in a preseason match against the Timbers where he slotted into the center back position and looked decent. But is he mobile enough to run up and down the left flank to stop the Timbers’ wingers?

Option two is a bit out there so stick with me. Down 2-1 against FC Dallas, Onalfo moved Sebastian Lletget to right back as he opted to bring in Emmanuel Boateng to provide an extra bit of pace. Is he willing to lose that attacking threat all match in hopes that Lletget can put in a good defensive shift? Probably not.

Midfield: Sebastian Lletget, Joao Pedro, Baggio Husidic, Romain Alessandrini

Baggio Husidic is going to see his first significant minutes of 2017 against the Timbers. He’s not going to provide the same physical presence that Jones does in the center of the park, but Husidic is adept enough and should provide decent cover.

The Frenchman, Alessandrini, was impressive in his first outing at the StubHub Center. He was the most influential person in the final third of the pitch and is going to need to bring that same sort of play in Week 2.

Forwards: Giovani dos Santos, Jack McBean

This partnership looks to be developing into...something. McBean had a good game offensively, speaking, playing short little passes with dos Santos to try and get him in behind the defense. The young striker should try to shoot more in hopes that one will find the back of the net.