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MLS: Every team’s best starting XI for 2019

By Joshua Bowers

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 28: Ola Kamara #11 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his second goal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo at the StubHub Center on October 28, 2018 in Carson, California. The Houston Dynamo won the match 3-2 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 28: Ola Kamara #11 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his second goal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo at the StubHub Center on October 28, 2018 in Carson, California. The Houston Dynamo won the match 3-2 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Galaxy

4-4-2

GK David Bingham

RB Rolf Feltscher

CB Diego Polenta

CB Daniel Steres

LB Jorgen Skjelvik

RM Romain Alessandrini

CM Sebastian Lletget

CM Jonathan dos Santos

LM Uriel Antuna

ST Zlatan Ibrahimovic

ST Ola Kamara

The Galaxy hope Diego Polenta is the answer at center-back. Steres is the best of the holdovers from last season and should start beside him. If he’s healthy, Feltscher is the man at right-back. On the left, I have Skjelvik pushing out wide. He has enough pace to play there even if he is unable to contribute much to the attack. With the attacking players that the Galaxy possess, they do not need a dynamic full-back.

JDS and Lletget will start in the midfield. I worry a little with those two because neither is a true holding midfielder. JDS will need to be disciplined and commit to playing a deeper role. Lletget is going to be a breakout player in MLS, finally, playing at his best position.

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be best-served playing Ola Kamara and Zlatan as dual strikers. So, a 4-4-2 is their best formation for the upcoming season. Romain Alessandrini is the most important player in this lineup, operating from the right flank. The left flank is a little more fluid. Antuna is the favorite to start, but I was tempted to place Ema Boateng instead. Boateng was a revelation a couple of years ago. Efrain Alvarez could also be in the mix, but I do not think he has the ability to fill the defensive responsibilities necessary on the wing of a 442.

Editor’s Note: This piece was written prior to Ola Kamara’s sale to China on Wednesday.

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