LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | August 8, 2021

LAG_VAN_SXI_HOME_2021_1920 (1)

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 has been snubbed as the starting GK in 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 16 regular-season appearances (16 starts) in 2021.
  • Playing in the center of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4.
  • Alongside Coulibaly is Derrick Williams, who has notched two assists in nine appearances (9 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 17 starts, tied with Bond as the only two players to start every match this season.
  • Making his return to the starting lineup is Sebastian Lletget, who was one of three players on the USMNT roster to have played in and won both the 2021 Concacaf Nations League and the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup
  • In the midfield with Lletget is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RUH-vell-oh-SUN), who has tallied four goals in seven games played (7 starts) since making his debut for the Galaxy on July 4.
  • Closing out the midfield trio is Jonathan Dos Santos, who makes his first start for LA since a 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on June 26.
  • Out wide is Efrain Alvarez, who tallied his second game-winning goal of the season in a 1-0 win over RSL on Aug. 4
  • On the other side of the attack is Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, who has tallied one goal and three assists in his last four starts dating back to July 7.
  • Starting up top is Kévin Cabral, who registered his first career goal for the club in the 3-1 win over FC Dallas on July 7.

Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 10-6-1 (31 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s 10 wins this season ranks tied for the second most in MLS in 2021.
  • The Galaxy (31 points) sit in fourth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind the New England Revolution (37 points), Sporting KC (33 points) and Seattle Sounders FC (33 points).
  • Sunday’s contest between the LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC marks the 28th all-time MLS regular-season encounter between the two sides, with LA leading the series 13-9-5.
  • Additionally, Sunday’s match marks the third meeting between the two clubs in 2021, with LA and Vancouver splitting the encounters 1-1-0.
  • In 14 regular-season home contests against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 9-4-1 record.
  • In the last meeting between the two sides at Dignity Health Sports Park, LA earned a 1-0 win over Vancouver on Oct. 18, 2020.
  • In the last four meetings the Galaxy and Whitecaps FC dating back to Oct. 18, 2020, the series is tied 2-2-0.
  • In nine matches played at home in 2021, the Galaxy are 7-2-0, scoring 17 goals and conceding nine.
  • LA is 5-4-1 in 10 matches played in its primary kit this season.
  • The 1-0 shutout victory over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4 marked LA’s third shutout of the season and the third shutout overall at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2021.
  • The Galaxy rank fourth in the league in goals scored (28) this season.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 5-4-1 record in 10 MLS regular-season games managed against Vancouver 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 (95). Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes ranks second (89), 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 (76).
  • Efrain Alvarez tallied his second goal of the 2021 campaign in the win over Real Salt Lake.
  • The goal marked Alvarez’s second game-winning goal of the season.
  • Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (10) and saves (68) during the 2021 campaign.
  • Across 12 seasons played in MLS (2006-10, 2015-16) Sacha Kljestan has made 296 regular-season appearances (261 starts), ranking eighth all-time in league history in assists (97) and adding 41 goals.
  • Kljestan’s assist against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4 marked his fourth assist of the season for the Galaxy.
  • Jonathan Dos Santos tallied one goal in six appearances (3 starts) for Mexico in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
  • Bond, Samuel Grandsir, Kljestan and Jorge Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (17).
  • Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (17).

Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy continue their strong form at Dignity Health Sports Park (7-2-0)?
  • Will Rayan Raveloson continue adding in goals from midfield?
  • The Galaxy added reinforcements with signing of Dejan Joveljić and loan deal for Niko Hämäläinen. How will they integrate into the team?
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Julian Araujo selected for 2021 MLS All Star-Game.

Quick hits:

Related Stories