Starting XI: LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC | August 8, 2024

LA Galaxy Starting XI: GK John McCarthy; D Miki Yamane, D Jalen Neal, D Maya Yoshida ©, D John Nelson; M Edwin Cerrillo, M Mark Delgado, M Diego Fagundez, M Riqui Puig, M Gabriel Pec, F Joseph Paintsil

Substitutes: GK Brady Scott; D Martín Cáceres, D Mauricio Cuevas, D Eriq Zavaleta, M Gastón Brugman, M Tucker Lepley, M Isaiah Parente, F Miguel Berry, F Ruben Ramos Jr.

Lineup Notes:

• 2022 MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy makes first appearance in Leagues Cup 2024 play in the Round of 32 match against Seattle Sounders FC. The Philadelphia, Penn., native made three saves in the 0-0 draw on the road against Seattle at Lumen Field on May 5. McCarthy has posted five shutouts and logged 100 saves in 24 appearances (24 starts) for the Galaxy during the 2024 MLS Regular Season.
• Japanese International defender Miki Yamane, who recorded his seventh assist of the 2024 campaign across all comps in the 2-1 Leagues Cup Group Stage win over the San Jose Earthquakes on July 31, makes his 28th appearance (27th start) across all competitions during the 2024 campaign in tonight’s match against the Sounders. Yamane was named to the J1 League Best XI in three consecutive seasons (2020, 2021, 2022), and helped Kawasaki Frontale earn two J1 League titles (2021, 2020), two Emperor’s Cup titles (2020, 2023) and one Japanese Super Cup (2021).
• LA Galaxy Academy product and U.S. National Team defender Jalen Neal, 20, makes his 16th appearance (12th start) across all competitions this season in the Round of 32 match against Seattle. Neal has tallied one goal in 36 career appearances (29 starts) across all competitions for the LA Galaxy (2022-Present).
• Japanese International defender Maya Yoshida captains the Galaxy in tonight’s match Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against Sounders FC. Yoshida, who has recorded two goals in 27 appearances (27 starts) across all competitions during the 2024 campaign, has tallied three goals in 39 career matches played (38 starts) across all comps for LA (2023-Present). Notably, Yoshida played in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) for the Japanese National Team.
• John Nelson makes his eighth start (18th appearance) across all competitions during the 2024 campaign in tonight’s match against the Sounders FC. Nelson notched his first assist for LA in the 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers on July 20. The Medina, Ohio, native has recorded five assists in 86 career MLS appearances (51 starts) across six seasons played in the league (2019-24).
• Edwin Cerrillo makes his 29th appearance (22nd start) across all competitions for LA this season in tonight’s Round of 32 match against Seattle Sounders FC. Cerrillo has notched seven assists in 124 games played (90 starts) in six seasons played in MLS (2019-Present). Notably, Cerrillo ranks second in MLS behind only Darlington Nagbe (96.63%) with a 95.49% pass completion percentage (min. 800 minutes played) during the 2024 campaign.
• Mark Delgado, who tallied an assist off the bench in the 2-2 regulation tie (5-4 Penalty-Kick Win) against C.D. Guadalajara on Aug. 4, returns to the Starting XI against Seattle. Notably, Delgado has tallied 22 goals and 37 assists in 302 career games played (265 starts) across 13 seasons in MLS (2012-Present). Additionally, Delgado ranks first amongst all MLS players in distance covered in possession (123.75 km) and second in total distance covered (298.68 km) behind only Cole Bassett (321.13 km) during the 2024 MLS Regular Season.
• Diego Fagundez, who recorded a goal in the 2-1 Leagues Cup Group Stage win over the San Jose Earthquakes on July 31 , starts on the left wing in tonight’s match against the Sounders. Notably, the Galaxy hold an 11-1-5 record in each of Fagundez’s 17 starts across all competitions during the 2024 campaign. Fagundez, who has totaled 149 goal contributions (73 goals, 76 assists) in 384 career MLS appearances (284 starts), ranks 16th all-time in league history in regular-season games played. Fagundez is one of 10 players in MLS history to record at least 70 goals and 70 assists. Fagundez ranks eighth amongst all active players with 384 career MLS regular-season appearances.
• Riqui Puig, a 2024 MLS All-Star, starts in tonight’s Leagues Cup match against Sounders FC. During the 2024 campaign, Puig has 19 goal contributions (8 goals, 11 assists) in 22 league appearances (21 starts) and leads all players in MLS this season in touches (2,336), passes attempted (2,111), passes completed (1,862), fouls suffered (61) and multi-assist performances (4). The Matadepera, Spain, native is one of five players in MLS this season (Arango, Messi, Acosta, Evander) to tally at least eight goals and 11 assists during the 2024 campaign. Puig missed the May 5 match against Seattle due to yellow-card suspension.
• Brazilian youth international and 2024 MLS All-Star forward Gabriel Pec, 23, who has 22 goal contributions (11 goals, 11 assists) in 27 appearances (24 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy this season, starts in tonight’s Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against the Sounders. In 11 matches played across all competitions dating back to June 15, Pec has totaled 14 goal contributions (7 goals, 7 assists). Pec is one of five players in MLS this year to record at least 10 goals and 10 assists (Arango, Messi, Acosta, Evander).
• Ghanian National Team forward Joseph Paintsil, 26, who recorded his first goal in Leagues Cup play against C.D. Guadalajara on Aug. 4, starts up top in tonight’s Round of 32 match against Seattle Sounders FC. Paintsil has 18 goal contributions (9 goals, 9 assists) in 24 appearances (23 starts) across all competitions for the LA Galaxy this season. Notably, Paintsil has totaled seven goal contributions (3 goals, 4 assists) in his last four appearances across all comps for LA dating back to July 17.