LA Galaxy Starting XI: GK John McCarthy; D Miki Yamane, D Maya Yoshida ©, D Martin Cáceres, D John Nelson; M Edwin Cerrillo, M Mark Delgado, M Diego Fagundez, M Riqui Puig, M Gabriel Pec, F Joseph Paintsil
Substitutes: GK Novak Mićović; D Mauricio Cuevas, D Emiro Garces, D Jalen Neal, D Eriq Zavaleta; M Tucker Lepley, M Isaiah Parente, M Jonathan Pérez, F Miguel Berry
Lineup Notes:
- 2022 MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy makes his 24th start in goal for the LA Galaxy in tonight’s match against the Portland Timbers. McCarthy, who made seven saves in the 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on July 17, registered four shutouts in eight matches played during LAFC’s run to the 2022-23 Concacaf Champions League Final, earning Golden Glove honors and being named to the Concacaf Champions League Best XI.
- Japanese International defender Miki Yamane, who recorded his sixth assist of the 2024 campaign against Minnesota United FC on July 7, makes his 25th appearance (25th start) during the 2024 campaign in tonight’s match. 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).
- Japanese International defender Maya Yoshida captains the Galaxy in tonight’s match against the Portland Timbers. Yoshida, who has recorded two goals in 25 appearances (25 starts) during the 2024 campaign, has tallied three goals in 37 career regular-season appearances (37 starts) for LA. Notably, Yoshida played in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) for the Japanese National Team.
- Uruguayan National Team legend Martin Cáceres makes his 15th appearance (14th start) for LA during the 2024 campaign in the tonight’s match against the Timbers. Cáceres has tallied two goals and one assist in 40 appearances (38 starts) across all competitions in three seasons with the Galaxy (2022 – Present). Notably, Cáceres played in four FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) for the Uruguayan National Team.
- John Nelson makes his fifth start (14th appearance) of the 2024 campaign in tonight’s match against Portland. The Medina, Ohio, native has recorded four assists in 85 career MLS appearances (50 starts) across six seasons played in the league (2019-24).
- Mark Delgado, who has recorded one goal and six assists in 24 appearances (23 starts) this season, starts in midfield. Notably, Delgado has tallied 22 goals and 37 assists in 301 career games played (264 starts) across 13 seasons in MLS (2012-Present). Additionally, Delgado ranks first amongst all MLS players in distance covered in possession (118.71 km) and second in total distance covered (285.64 km) behind only Cole Bassett (308.69 km) during the 2024 campaign.
- Edwin Cerrillo makes his 26th appearance (19th start) for LA this season in tonight’s match against the Portland Timbers. Cerrillo has notched six assists in 123 games played (89 starts) in six seasons played in MLS (2019-Present). Notably, Cerrillo ranks second in MLS behind only Darlington Nagbe (96.64%) with a 95.49% pass completion percentage (min. 500 minutes played) during the 2024 campaign.
- Diego Fagundez starts on the left wing in tonight’s match against Portland. Notably, the Galaxy hold a 9-1-5 record in each of Fagundez’s 15 starts during the 2024 campaign. Fagundez, who has totaled 147 goal contributions (73 goals, 74 assists) in 383 career MLS appearances (283 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 383 career MLS regular-season appearances.
- Riqui Puig, who was named to his second consecutive MLS All-Star Game, starts in midfield in tonight’s match against the Timbers. During the 2024 campaign, Puig has 17 goal contributions (7 goals, 10 assists) in 21 appearances (20 starts) and leads all players in MLS this season in touches (2,216), passes attempted (1,999), passes completed (1,766), fouls suffered (58) and multi-assist performances (4) and ranks fourth in the league in distance covered in possession (109.55 km). The Matadepera, Spain, native is one of seven players in MLS to tally at least seven goals and 10 assists during the 2024 campaign.
- Brazilian youth international forward Gabriel Pec, 23, who has 19 goal contributions (9 goals, 10 assists) in 24 appearances (21 starts) for the Galaxy this season, gets the start on the right in tonight’s match against Portland. In eight matches played dating back to June 15, Pec has totaled 11 goal contributions (5 goals, 6 assists). Notably, Pec has recorded eight goals and eight assists in 12 games played at home (10 starts) during the 2024 campaign. Pec is one of five players in MLS this year to record at least nine goals and 10 assists (Cristian Arango, Lionel Messi, Lucho Acosta, Evander). Pec has recorded a goal or an assist in 10 straight home games, joining Robbie Keane (2012-13) as the only players in club history to achieve that feat.
- Ghanian National Team forward Joseph Paintsil, who recorded a goal and two assists in the 3-2 victory against the Colorado Rapids on July 17, starts up top in tonight’s match. Paintsil has 14 goal contributions (7 goals, 7 assists) in 21 appearances (20 starts) for the LA Galaxy this season. Additionally, Paintsil has posted the second-fastest top speed in MLS (36.78 km/h) behind only Colorado Rapids defender Moise Bombito (37.27 km/h).
