LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | July 30, 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 definitely should be the starting GK in the MLS All-Star Game.
  • On the right is Julian Araujo, who makes his 50th career regular-season appearance for the Galaxy against Portland. Araujo signed a multi-year contract extension as an MLS U22 Initiative player on July 6.
  • Playing in the center of defense is Nick DePuy, who has made 14 appearances (9 starts) in league play for LA this year.
  • Alongside DePuy is Derrick Williams, who has notched two assists in seven appearances (7 starts) in his first season with the Galaxy.
  • On the left is MLS veteran Jorge Villafaña, who has locked down the left back spot for the LA Galaxy this season, making 15 starts, tied with Bond as the only two players to start every match this season.
  • In the middle of the park is Sacha Kljestan, who has tallied two goals and three assists in 15 games played (7 starts) in his second season in LA.
  • Partnering in midfield with Kljestan is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RUH-vell-oh-SON), who has tallied three goals in five games played (5 starts) since being acquired on May 20, 2021.
  • Out wide is Kévin Cabral, who registered his first career goal for the club in the 3-1 win over FC Dallas on July 7.
  • Creating in midfield is Victor Vázquez, who has notched one goal and three assists in 12 appearances (10 starts) for LA this season.
  • On the other side of the attack is Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, leads the team with four assists in 15 games played (13 starts).
  • Starting up top is Ethan Zubak, who scored his first goal of the 2021 campaign in the 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on July 21. Zubak has tallied one goal and one assist in 14 games played (5 starts) for LA in 2021.

Game Notes:

  • LA is 8-6-1 (25 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s eight wins this season ranks as the fourth most in MLS in 2021.
  • The Galaxy sit in fifth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind the New England Revolution (33 points), Seattle Sounders FC (32 points), Sporting KC (30 points) and Nashville SC (26 points)
  • Following a loss, the Galaxy are 4-0-1 during the 2021 regular-season campaign, outscoring their opponents 10-5.
  • Friday’s match marks the 28th MLS regular-season meeting between Portland and LA, with the Galaxy trailing the all-time series 10-11-6.
  • In 13 all-time regular-season matches played against the Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy hold a 7-3-3 record.
  • In seven matches played at home in 2021, the Galaxy are 5-2-0, scoring 12 goals and conceding eight.
  • The Galaxy are 4-2-0 in six matches played in the Community kit in 2021.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 3-4-0 record in seven MLS regular-season games managed against Portland 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 (93). Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes ranks second (88), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (83). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (80) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (76).
  • Rayan Raveloson ranks tied for second on the team with three goals in five games played (5 starts) in 2021.
  • Raveloson’s three headed goals ranks tied for third in MLS. Portland’s Felipe Mora ranks tied for first in the league with four headed goals.
  • Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (8) during the 2021 campaign, and leads the league in saves (61).
  • In his last four appearances dating back to July 7, Victor Vázquez has tallied one goal and two assists.
  • In six matches played dating back to June 26, Samuel Grandsir has tallied four assists.
  • Notably, Grandsir is tied for fourth in the league in shots that have hit the woodwork (3).
  • As a team, LA has hit the woodwork seven times, which ranks tied for third in the league in 2021.
  • Across 12 seasons played in MLS (2006-10, 2015-16) Sacha Kljestan has made 294 regular-season appearances (259 starts), ranking eighth all-time in league history in assists (96) and adding 40 goals.
  • Jorge Villafaña played five seasons for the Portland Timbers (2014-15, 2018-20), logging three goals and 18 assists in 102 regular-season games played (96 starts). Villafaña won the 2015 MLS Cup and the MLS is Back Tournament with the Timbers.
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks second in MLS lead in goals scored (10), behind only Seattle Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz (11).
  • 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 (1.29).
  • In five games played (5 starts) at home in 2021, Hernandez ranks tied for fourth in the league in goals scored (5).
  • Julian Araujo scored his first career MLS regular-season goal against Portland on Oct. 7, 2020.
  • Bond, Grandsir, Kljestan and Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (15).
  • Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (15).
  • Danilo Acosta made his LA Galaxy debut against FC Dallas on July 24, appearing 36 minutes off the bench as a second-half substitute.
  • Fifteen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney.

Storylines:

  • How will the Galaxy bounce back following their three-game road trip?
  • Will the Galaxy continue their strong form following a loss this year (4-0-1)?
  • Will Rayan Raveloson continue banging in goals with his head?
  • How will the Galaxy fair without Gold Cup absences for the match against Portland? [Efrain Alvarez, Jonathan dos Santos (Mexico), Sebastian Lletget (United States)]

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