LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: LAFC vs. LA Galaxy | August 28, 2021

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Lineup Notes:

  • In net is England’s second-most famous J. Bond of all time: Jonathan Bond. He has made 20 appearances (20 starts) in 1,800 minutes of action in 2021.
  • On the right is Julian Araujo, who participated in the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. Araujo is tied for the team-lead in assists (4) in 20 regular-season appearances (20 starts) in 2021.
  • Playing in the center of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who has started five consecutive matches dating back to Aug. 4.
  • Alongside Coulibaly is Derrick Williams, who has tallied three assists in 13 games played (12 starts) in his first season for the Galaxy.
  • On the left is Niko Hämäläinen (hahm-uh-LINE-en), who has started and played 90 minutes in three consecutive matches since signing on loan from QPR on Aug. 6.
  • In midfield is Jonathan dos Santos, who will make his 91st regular-season appearance for the Galaxy.
  • Playing next to Dos Santos is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RUH-vell-oh-SUN), who has been one of the best mid-season additions in MLS this season.
  • Playing on the right wing is Sebastian Lletget, who made his first MLS All-Star appearance against the LIGA MX All-Stars. Lletget has tallied one goal and three assists in 13 games played (12 starts) for LA in 2021.
  • On the opposite wing is Kévin Cabral, who has notched three goals and an assist in 16 games played (15 starts) in his first year with the club.
  • Playing as the No. 10 is Victor Vázquez, who tallied a goal in the Galaxy’s last match against San Jose on Aug. 20.
  • Starting up top is Dejan Joveljić (day-YAHN YO-vul-ITCH), who tallied an assist in his LA Galaxy debut in a 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC on Aug. 14.

Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 11-8-2 (35 pts) this season, sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s 11 wins this season ranks tied for the third most in MLS in 2021.
  • The Galaxy (35 points) sit in fifth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind the New England Revolution (49 points), Seattle Sounders FC (42 points), Sporting KC (39 points) and the Colorado Rapids (37 points).
  • Following a loss during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy are 5-1-1.
  • Saturday’s match marks the 11th MLS regular-season meeting between the two clubs, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 5-2-3.
  • In four all-time regular-season road matches played against LAFC, the Galaxy hold a 1-1-2 record.
  • In the last four meetings between LA and LAFC dating back to Aug. 22, 2020, the Galaxy hold a 3-1-0 record.
  • Julian Araujo has registered three assists in six career games played (6 starts) in league play against LAFC.
  • In nine games played on the road in 2021, the Galaxy are 4-4-1.
  • In their last three road matches dating back to July 21, the Galaxy are 1-1-1.
  • The Galaxy rank tied for fifth in the league in goals scored (32) this season.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 1-1-1 record in three 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 (90), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (85). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (82) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (79).
  • With two more wins, Greg Vanney (98-76-50, .549) 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.
  • Rayan Raveloson ranks second on the team with five goals scored in 11 games played (11 starts) in his first season with LA.
  • In nine career regular-season games played (8 starts) against LAFC, Sebastian Lletget has tallied four goals.
  • 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
  • Amongst all MLS goalkeepers, Jonathan Bond ranks tied for first in wins (10) and ranks second in saves (79) during the 2021 campaign.
  • In his first career appearance against LAFC, Bond tallied 4 saves in a 2-1 win on May 8.
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks tied for fifth in MLS in goals scored (10).
  • Chicharito ranks 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 (1.21).
  • Across 12 seasons played in MLS (2006-10, 2015-16) Sacha Kljestan has made 299 regular-season appearances (262 starts), ranking eighth all-time in league history in assists (97) and adding 41 goals.
  • With his next appearance, Kljestan will become the 48th player in league history to appear in 300 MLS regular-season games.
  • Additionally, Kljestan would be the 11th active player in MLS to appear in 300 league games.
  • Samuel Grandsir is the only Galaxy player to play in every match this season (21).
  • Grandsir is tied for third in the league in shots hitting the woodwork (4).

Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy rebound from their first back-to-back loss of the 2021 campaign?
  • Can Rayan Raveloson continue to bang in goals from midfield?
  • New boys Dejan Joveljić and Niko Hämäläinen have played three times since making their debut in a win over Minnesota on Aug. 14.

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