LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids | August 17, 2021

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Lineup Notes:

  • In net is England’s second-most famous J. Bond of all time: Jonathan Bond. He is having an MLS Best XI season and was snubbed from the MLS All-Star Game.
  • On the right is Julian Araujo, who was named to the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. Araujo is tied for the team-lead in assists (4) in 18 regular-season appearances (18 starts) in 2021.
  • Playing in the center of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who has started three consecutive matches dating back to Aug. 4.
  • Alongside Coulibaly is Derrick Williams, who has notched two assists in 11 appearances (11 starts) in his first season with the Galaxy.
  • On the left is Niko Hämäläinen (hahm-uh-LINE-en), who started and played 90 minutes in his debut for the Galaxy in a 1-0 win over Minnesota on Aug. 14.
  • Making his return to the starting lineup is Sebastian Lletget, who has notched one goal and three assists in 11 appearances (10 starts) for LA this year.
  • Playing as the holding midfielder is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RUH-vell-oh-SUN), who has been one of the best mid-season additions in MLS this season.
  • Closing out the three-man midfield is Jonathan dos Santos, who played in his 90th game across all competitions in his career for the Galaxy in Saturday’s win over Minnesota.
  • Playing on the right wing is Victor Vázquez, who has registered two goals and three assists in 14 appearances (11 starts) in his first season with LA.
  • On the opposite wing is Samuel Grandsir, who is one of two players on the Galaxy roster (Sacha Kljestan) to have appeared in every match this season.
  • Starting up top is Dejan Joveljić (day-YAHN YO-vul-ITCH), who tallied an assist in his LA Galaxy debut in the win over the Loons last Saturday.

Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 11-6-2 (35 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s 11 wins this season ranks tied for the second most in MLS in 2021 with Sporting KC.
  • The Galaxy (35 points) sit in fourth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind the New England Revolution (43 points), Sporting KC (37 points) and Seattle Sounders FC (36 points).
  • LA is unbeaten in its last four matches played (3-0-1), dating back to a 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers on July 30, outscoring their opponents 7-2 and posting two shutouts during that span.
  • In four games played since July 30, the LA Galaxy and the New England Revolution are tied for the league’s best record (3-0-1), with LA tied for a league-best +5 goal differential with NYCFC.
  • In 10 games played at home in 2021, the Galaxy are 7-2-1, having scored 18 goals, conceded 10 and posted three shutouts for a +8 goal differential at Dignity Health Sports Park.
  • The Galaxy rank sixth in the league in goals scored (30) this season.
  • Tuesday’s match marks the 76th all-time MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Colorado, with the Galaxy leading the series 36-28-11.
  • In 38 regular-season home contests vs. the Rapids, LA holds a 23-9-6 record.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 2-2-1 record in five MLS regular-season games managed against Colorado during his time as a manager in MLS (2014-Present).
  • In 30 career MLS regular-season games played (29 starts) against the Rapids, Vanney tallied three goals and three assists.
  • Dating back to the beginning of the 2015 MLS regular season, Vanney ranks first amongst all MLS head coaches in wins (96). Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes ranks second (90), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (84). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (81) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (77).
  • With two more wins, Greg Vanney (98-74-50, .554) will become the 11th coach in MLS history to win 100 career MLS regular-season games.
  • Through 19 games played in 2021, the Galaxy are 11-6-2 with 29 goals scored and 27 goals allowed (+2 GD)
  • Through 19 games played in 2020, LA held a record of 6-11-2 with 25 goals scored and 42 goals allowed (-17 GD).
  • Seventeen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney.
  • Greg Vanney and Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser played together for fives seasons on the LA Galaxy (1996-00), where they won a Supporters’ Shield (1998) and the Concacaf Champions’ Cup (2000). Notably, Vanney and Fraser were both named to the MLS Best XI during the 2000 season.
  • Sebastian Lletget has registered two goals in eight regular-season appearances (8 starts) in his career against the Rapids.
  • Lletget was one of four players on the USMNT this year to win both the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup.
  • Lletget has played in 12 of the USMNT’s 13 matches across all competitions in 2021
  • Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (10) and ranks second in saves (72) during the 2021 campaign.
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks fifth in MLS in goals scored (10).
  • Chicharito ranks tied for second in MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (1.04) with a minimum of 400 minutes played, behind only D.C. United’s Ola Kamara (1.39).
  • Across 12 seasons played in MLS (2006-10, 2015-16) Sacha Kljestan has made 298 regular-season appearances (262 starts), ranking eighth all-time in league history in assists (97) and adding 41 goals.
  • With his next two appearances, Kljestan will become the 48th player in league history to appear in 300 MLS regular-season games.
  • Samuel Grandsir and Kljestan are the only two Galaxy players to play in every match this season (18).
  • Since making his Galaxy debut on July 4, Rayan Raveloson has tallied four goals in nine games played.
  • Julian Araujo’s four assists during the 2021 campaign is a new career-high.
  • Jonathan Klinsmann was named to the MLS Team of the Week after tying a career-high with six saves and posting a shutout in his first start of 2021 in a 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC on Aug. 14.
  • Niko Hämäläinen started and played 90 minutes in his debut for LA, on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
  • LA Galaxy legend Cobi Jones tallied 12 goals and 12 assists in 38 career regular-season games played against Colorado. The 12 goals and 12 assists against the Rapids are the most against a single MLS club in his career.

Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy continue their four-game unbeaten run (3-0-1) in league play with Colorado visiting town?
  • Will LA continue to their strong play at Dignity Health Sports Park (7-2-1) this year?
  • Kévin Cabral is starting to heat up with goals scored in two consecutive games.
  • New boys Dejan Joveljić and Niko Hämäläinen made their debut and helped the Galaxy earn a 1-0 win on the road against Minnesota.
  • LA Galaxy’s young players continue to contribute as six players aged 22 or younger saw the field in the win over Minnesota on Aug. 14 (Efrain Alvarez – 19, Julian Araujo – 20, Cameron Dunbar – 18, Kévin Cabral – 22, Dejan Joveljić – 22, Adam Saldaña – 19).
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Julian Araujo selected for 2021 MLS All Star-Game.

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