LA Galaxy Predicted Starting XI vs Orlando City

Last week against the Montreal Impact, we saw a nearly full health LA Galaxy squad for the first time this season. And with no injuries this past week, we shouldn’t expect to see any changes tomorrow against Orlando City SC.

Goalkeeper: Clement Diop

If you’ve been following these predicted starting XI’s this season, you’ll know that I have opted for Brian Rowe for some time now. But...that’s finally changing especially after last weekend’s showing at home.

Clement Diop redeemed himself last weekend against the Montreal Impact, earning himself and the club their first clean sheet of the season. That performance should put him back in good graces with Curt Onalfo and will probably get the road start.

Although, now that I’m picking Diop, Onalfo is going to opt for Rowe in goal, because that’s just how it’s goin’ right now.

Defense: Nathan Smith, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole

Nathan Smith seems to be coming into his own in that right back position and looked well beyond his age last weekend. He even pulled off a nifty move down the touchline that drew some reaction from the fans.

Midfielders: Emmanuel Boateng, Joao Pedro, Jermaine Jones, Romain Alessandrini

After a sluggish start, the midfield is finally starting to gel. Boateng and Alessandrini are connecting well and Jones scored on a sensational solo effort last weekend. If last Saturday night is just the beginning, this might be a fun team to watch after all.

Forwards: Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes

Hawthorne-native Gyasi Zardes is healthy again and lasted 80 minutes in his first start of the 2017 MLS Season. While he still needs to find his rhythm in front of goal, it’s good to see Zardes play for long periods of time again. He’ll get better and better as the season goes along.