LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC | October 3, 2021

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Lineup Notes:

  • Starting in goal is Jonathan Bond. The Englishman has tallied 94 saves and three shutouts in 24 games played in his first season with LA.  
  • Julian Araujo, one of the best right backs in MLS, gets the start. Araujo ranks second in the league in assists (6) amongst all defenders and ranks fourth in the league in tackles won (45). 
  • Playing in the heart of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who has started 11 consecutive matches dating back to Aug. 4. 
  • Next to Coulibaly is Nick DePuy, who makes his makes his second consecutive start for the Galaxy. DePuy has made 19 appearances (12 starts) this campaign. 
  • Playing at left back is Niko Hämäläinen, who has made eight appearances (7 starts) for the Galaxy since joining on loan from Queens Park Rangers. 
  • Captaining the Galaxy is Jonathan dos Santos, who has tallied one goal in 19 games played (15 starts) during the 2021 campaign. 
  • Playing next to Dos Santos is Madagascar international Rayan Raveloson, who ranks second on the team with five goals scored. 
  • On the left side of the attack is Samuel Grandsir, who has tallied two goals and four assists in 27 games played (21 starts) in his first season for the Galaxy. 
  • Playing as the attacking midfielder is Victor Vázquez, who ranks first on the team with 46 chances created in 22 appearances (16 starts). 
  • On the opposite wing is Efrain Álvarez, who notched an assist in the 2-1 loss to RSL on Sept. 29. He has tallied two goals and three assists in 19 appearances (12 starts) during the 2021 campaign. 
  • Making his 16th appearance (15th start) of the year is Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who ranks first on the team with 12 goals scored. 

Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 11-11-5 (38 pts) this season, sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.  
  • With a win, the Galaxy will jump to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. 
  • Sunday’s contest between the LA Galaxy and LAFC, presented by Dignity Health, marks the 12th regular-season meeting between the two clubs, with the Galaxy leading the series 5-2-4. 
  • In five regular-season meetings against LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 4-0-1. 
  • In two matchups between the two sides during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy hold a 1-0-1 record. 
  • In the first meeting between the two clubs, the Galaxy earned a 2-1 win over LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 8 behind goals from Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos. 
  • In the last meeting between the Galaxy and LAFC, the two sides played to a 3-3 draw at Banc of California Stadium on Aug. 28, 2021. 
  • Dejan Joveljić tallied his first two goals for LA, while Kévin Cabral tallied the game-tying goal in the road draw.
  • In 13 games played at home during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy hold a 7-4-2 record. 
  • The Galaxy rank tied for 12th in the league in goals scored (38). 
  • As a team, the Galaxy have scored six headed goals. 
  • LA has tallied three goals from outside the box. 
  • The Galaxy have registered 35 goals scored inside the box this season. 
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks ninth in MLS in goals scored (12) in 15 appearances during the 2021 campaign. 
  • Chicharito ranks second in MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (0.88) with a minimum of 500 minutes played, behind only D.C. United’s Ola Kamara (1.20). 
  • In six games played at home during the 2021 campaign, Chicharito has tallied six goals. 
  • Julian Araujo has appeared in a career-high 26 games played (26 starts) for LA, ranking first on the team in assists (6) and ranking fourth in the league in tackles won (45) during the 2021 campaign. 
  • Dejan Joveljić has notched two goals and two assists in nine regular-season games played (5 starts) in his first season with LA. 
  • Sebastian Lletget is the club’s active leader with 151 regular-season games played (127 starts), adding 21 goals and 26 assists for the Galaxy. 
  • Jonathan dos Santos has played in 98 games (86 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy since joining the club in 2017. 
  • Kévin Cabral has tallied four goals and one assist in 22 games played (19 starts) for LA in his first season for the club. 
  • Rayan Raveloson’s ranks tied for fifth in the league in headed goals (3) this year. 
  • Amongst all MLS goalkeepers, Jonathan Bond ranks tied for fifth in wins (10) and ranks third in saves (94) during the 2021 campaign. 
  • Samuel Grandsir is the only player on the roster to appear in every match this season (27). 
  • Grandsir ranks tied for third in the league this season in shots that have hit the woodwork (4). 
  • Victor Vazquez leads the team with 46 chances created in 22 games played. 
  • In 19 games played (12 starts), Efrain Alvarez has tallied two goals and three assists.
  • With his next appearance, Alvarez will play in his 50th career regular-season match for the Galaxy. 
  • Daniel Steres is the Galaxy’s second-longest tenured player with 138 career regular-season appearances (127 starts). 
  • Adam Saldaña has made 17 appearances (5 starts) in his first season with the Galaxy. 
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 1-1-2 record in four MLS regular-season games managed against LAFC during his time as a manager in MLS (2014-Present). 
  • 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 (93), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (87). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (84) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer (82) rounds out the top five. 
  • With two more wins, Greg Vanney (98-79-53, .541) will become the 11th coach in MLS history to win 100 career MLS regular-season games.
  • Seventeen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney. 

Storylines:

  • The Galaxy will unveil the Landon Donovan Statue at Legends Plaza pregame and will induct LD into the club’s Ring of Honor at halftime. 
  • Can the goals continue to flow in El Trafico (40 combined goals scored between the two teams in 11 all-time regular-season meetings)?
  • Can the Galaxy remain undefeated at home against LAFC (4-0-1)?
  • Will Julian Araujo continue to impress in defense?
  • Can Chicharito continue knocking in goals for the Galaxy?

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