UNION (4-2-3-1)

Blake

Fabinho-Marquez-Yaro-Rosenberry 

Carroll-Nogueira 

Pontius-Barnetta-Le Toux 

Sapong 

Bench: McCarthy, Tribbett, Gaddis, Creavalle, Alberg, Ilsinho, Herbers

Galaxy (4-3-3) 

Kennedy 

Rodgers-Leonardo-VanDamme-Cole 

Magee-Husidic-Gerrard 

Dos Santos-Keane-Zardes 

Bench: Rowe, Lletget, DeLaGarza, Larentowicz, Boateng, Romney, Steres 

Preview 

 - Changes are minimal for the Union this week, as expected. Brian Carroll steps in at central midfield Josh Yaro keeps his spot in the lineup with Ken Tribbett healthy enough for the bench. Fabinho returns to a start after his suspension, Ray Gaddis back on the bench.

- The stars are out for the Galaxy. Robbie Keane started Sunday after six weeks out, and he’s in the lineup again. Steven Gerrard, whom many fans are here to see, came off the bench Sunday and is ready to start this one. Dan Kennedy (or bizarro Antoine Hoppenot) steps in between the posts, while Ashley Cole is in the backline. I think this is pretty close to the full complement of L.A.’s weapons, but let’s see how they jell.

- One matchup to watch for is in central midfield. The Union didn’t do enough against San Jose to press the issue centrally when Fatai Alashe and Anibal Godoy picked up yellow cards 10 days ago. If Gerrard and his 35-year-old legs are marooned in central midfield, then the Union need to attack with Tranquillo Barnetta. And if he can’t do it, they should be quick to introduce Ilsinho for those purposes.