Match Report: LA Galaxy Play to 1-1 Draw Against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2023 Home Opener at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday Night

LOS ANGELES (Saturday, March 18, 2023) – The LA Galaxy earned a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2023 Home Opener in front of 23,122 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. 

LA Galaxy Against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday’s match marked the 32nd meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with LA leading the all-time series 15-10-7. Against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 14-10-7 record in league play and a 1-0-0 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In the last meeting at Dignity Health Sports Park between the two teams, LA earned a 5-2 victory over the Whitecaps on Aug. 13, 2022. In 17 matches played at home against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 10-4-3 record, outscoring the Whitecaps 29-12.

LA Galaxy In Home Openers
Since MLS’ inception in 1996, the LA Galaxy hold a 17-8-3 record in 28 MLS home openers played at Dignity Health Sports Park and the Rose Bowl Stadium. In 21 MLS home opener’s contested at Dignity Health Sports Park, LA holds a 12-6-3 record. In their last six home openers played dating back to March 4, 2018, the Galaxy hold a 4-1-1 record. 

Debuts at Dignity Health Sports Park
Six players made their first regular-season appearance at Dignity Health Sports Park for the Galaxy: Jalen Neal, who started and played 90 minutes, Tyler Boyd, who started and played 86 minutes, while Chris Mavinga, Memo Rodríguez, Uri Rosell and Preston Judd each appeared as second-half substitutes in their home debut. 

Goal-Scoring Plays
VAN – Tristan Blackmon (Julian Gressel), 14th minute: Julian Gressel’s free-kick delivery from outside the box found Tristan Blackmon, whose header from close range was fired in at the far post.

LA – Kelvin Leerdam, 45+4th minute: Raheem Edwards floated a cross into the box that was spilled by Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and the rebound was turned in by Kelvin Leerdam. 

Postgame Notes

• Saturday’s match marked the 32nd meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with LA leading the all-time series 15-10-7. 
• Against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 14-10-7 record in league play and a 1-0-0 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In the last meeting at Dignity Health Sports Park between the two teams, LA earned a 5-2 victory over the Whitecaps on Aug. 13, 2022. 
• In 17 matches played at home against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 10-4-3 record, outscoring the Whitecaps 29-12.
• Since MLS’ inception in 1996, the LA Galaxy hold a 17-8-3 record in 28 MLS home openers played at Dignity Health Sports Park and the Rose Bowl Stadium. 
• In 21 MLS home opener’s contested at Dignity Health Sports Park, LA holds a 12-6-3 record. 
• In their last six home openers played dating back to March 4, 2018, the Galaxy hold a 4-1-1 record.
• Tyler Boyd made his first MLS and Galaxy start, logging 86 minutes against Vancouver. 
• Making his first league appearance since Sept 18, 2021, Jonathan Klinsmann made his 2023 debut for the Galaxy, logging 65 minutes and making two saves against Vancouver. 
• Mark Delgado made his 250th career MLS regular-season appearance in the match against Whitecaps FC. 
• Kelvin Leerdam, who scored his first goal of the 2022 campaign, tallied his first goal in MLS regular-season play since scoring for Seattle Sounders FC against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 10, 2020. 
• Riqui Puig finished the match with a game-high six successful dribbles. 
• Dejan Joveljić finished the match with a team-high four chances created and two shots on target. 
• Martín Cáceres recorded a game-high nine clearances and won eight of nine duels. 
• LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney holds a 6-5-3 record in 11 career regular-season matches coached against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 

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Next Game
*Up next, the LA Galaxy travel to face the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday, March 25. The match on March 25 kicks off at 1:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted live on MLS Season Pass and FOX.