LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy | August 14, 2021

LAG_MUFC_SXI_HOME_2021_1920x1080

Lineup Notes:

  • In net is Jonathan Klinsmann, who makes his first appearance for the Galaxy in 2021. He has posted one shutout in four career regular-season games played (4 starts) for LA.
  • 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 17 regular-season appearances (17 starts) in 2021.
  • Playing in the center of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Aug. 8.
  • Alongside Coulibaly is Derrick Williams, who has notched two assists in 10 appearances (10 starts) in his first season with the Galaxy.
  • On the left is Niko Hämäläinen (hahm-uh-LINE-en), who joined the Galaxy on loan for the 2021 campaign from Queens Park Rangers on Aug. 6
  • Making his return to the starting lineup is Sacha Kljestan, who has tallied three goals and four assists in 18 appearances (9 starts) in his second season with the club.
  • In the midfield with Kljestan is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RUH-vell-oh-SUN), who has been one of the best mid-season additions in MLS this season.
  • Out wide is Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, who is tied for the team-lead in assists (4) and has added one goal during the 2021 season.
  • Playing as the No. 10 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 wing is Kévin Cabral, who registered his second career goal for the club in the 1-1 draw against Vancouver on Aug. 8.
  • Starting up top is Dejan Joveljić (day-YAHN YO-vul-ITCH), who will make his debut for the Galaxy after joining the club from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt as an MLS U22 Initiative player on Aug. 5, 2021.

Game Notes:

  • The LA Galaxy are 10-6-2 (32 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s 10 wins this season ranks with tied for the second most in MLS in 2021 with Sporting KC.
  • The Galaxy (32 points) sit in fourth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind the New England Revolution (40 points), Sporting KC (34 points) and Seattle Sounders FC (33 points).
  • Saturday’s match marks the seventh all-time MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Minnesota, with the Galaxy holding an unbeaten record against the Loons (4-0-2).
  • The last time the two clubs squared off in Minnesota, the LA and Minnesota played to a scoreless draw on April 24, 2019.
  • In three all-time road contests against Minnesota United, LA holds a 2-0-1 record.
  • In five career regular-season games played (5 starts) against Minnesota, Jonathan dos Santos has notched two goals and one assist.
  • Sebastian Lletget has registered two goals and an assist in four regular-season appearances (3 starts) in his career against the Loons.
  • 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
  • In eight matches played on the road in 2021, the Galaxy are 3-4-1, scoring 11 goals and conceding 18.
  • The Galaxy are 5-2-0 in seven matches played in the Community Kit in 2021.
  • The Galaxy rank fourth in the league in goals scored (29) this season.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 2-1-0 record in three MLS regular-season games managed against Minnesota 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).
  • Through 18 games played in 2021, the Galaxy are 10-6-2 with 28 goals scored
  • Through 18 games played in 2020, LA held a record of 5-10-3 with 22 goals scored.
  • Fifteen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney.
  • Dejan Joveljić and Niko Hämäläinen will be the 16th and 17th players this season to make their Galaxy debut under Vanney.
  • Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (10) and saves (72) during the 2021 campaign.
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks tied for third in MLS in goals scored (10), behind only Seattle Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz (11) and New England’s Gustavo Bou (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 (1.44).
  • Across 12 seasons played in MLS (2006-10, 2015-16) Sacha Kljestan has made 297 regular-season appearances (261 starts), ranking eighth all-time in league history in assists (97) and adding 41 goals.
  • Kljestan’s 297 MLS regular-season games played ranks as the 48th most in league history.
  • Bond, Samuel Grandsir, Kljestan and Jorge Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (18).
  • Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (18).
  • Since making his Galaxy debut on July 4, Rayan Raveloson has tallied four goals in eight games played.
  • His four goals during that span rank tied for second in the league behind only C.J. Sapong (5).
  • Julian Araujo’s four assists during the 2021 campaign is a new career-high.
  • Araujo’s three primary assists dating back to July 21 ranks tied for third in the league.
  • In his last nine games played (9 starts) dating back to June 26, Samuel Grandsir has tallied one goal and four assists.
  • In his last four games played (3 starts) for the Galaxy dating back to June 23, Efrain Alvarez has recorded two game-winning goals and one assist.

Storylines:

  • Can the Galaxy continue their dominance against Minnesota United FC (4-0-2 in six all-time MLS regular season matches)?
  • 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:

LA Galaxy

Related Stories