LA Galaxy Forward Dejan Joveljić (2 goals), Midfielder Riqui Puig (1 goal, 2 assists) and Head Coach Greg Vanney have been named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday for Matchday 32, following the Galaxy's 4-2 comeback win over LAFC on Saturday. The victory keeps the Galaxy atop the Western Conference, leading LAFC by seven points with two more games played than their crosstown rivals. With the win in the 24th edition across all competitions of El Tráfico, the Galaxy lead the all-time series 10-9-5 (52 GF, 51 GA).
In his first start for the Galaxy since July 7 due to injury, Joveljić recorded a brace, marking his fifth and sixth goals against LAFC in 13 total appearances. It was also his second brace against LAFC and fifth of his career for the Galaxy. This season, Joveljić has totaled 11 goal contributions (8 goals, 3 assists) in 11 matches played at Dignity Health Sports Park, where the Galaxy are unbeaten in 2024.
Puig's one-goal, two-assist performance increased his tally against LAFC, as the Galaxy's No. 10 now has six goal contributions (3 goals, 3 assists) in eight games played across all competitions against them. Puig's goal made it four straight league matches with a goal, dating back to July 17. He also created a game-high seven chances, completed three of four dribbles and 104 of 120 passes (86.7%), won four fouls and nine of 11 duels in the win over LAFC.
Vanney's inclusion as the coach for Team of the Matchday comes as the Galaxy top the Western Conference and improve their home record against LAFC to 6-1-2 (22 GF, 14 GA). The Galaxy's win also clinched a spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Vanney was named the coach of Team of the Matchday for Matchday 27 on July 18.
Furthermore, Galaxy Defender Jalen Neal made the bench for the Team of the Matchday for Matchday 32.
F: Luis Suárez (MIA), Dejan Joveljić (LA), Lionel Messi (MIA)
M: Ryan Gauld (VAN), Riqui Puig (LA), Djordje Mihailovic (COL), Caden Clark (MTL)
D: Rafael Santos (ORL), Jackson Ragen (SEA), Griffin Dorsey (HOU)
GK: Matt Freese (NYC)
Coach: Greg Vanney (LA)
Bench: Dayne St. Clair (MIN), Jalen Neal (LA), Jordi Alba (MIA), Jonathan Osorio (TOR), Amine Bassi (HOU), Paul Rothrock (SEA), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Facundo Torres (ORL), Georgios Koutsias (CHI)
