LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy | July 17, 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, one of the most talented young right back players in the USMNT player pool. Araujo signed a multi-year contract extension as an MLS U22 Initiative player on July 6.
  • Starting in the center of defense if SoCal native Nick DePuy, another LA Galaxy developmental product who signed with the first team from LA Galaxy II. DePuy has been a solid contributor since making his first team debut last year.
  • Alongside DePuy is Derrick Williams, who makes his return to the starting lineup after serving a six-game suspension. He has tallied one assist in four games played (4 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 12 starts, tied with Bond as the only two players to start every match this season.
  • In the middle of the park is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RAHV-ehh-LEW-SOWN), who was named to the MLS Team of the Week after notching his first goal for the Galaxy against FC Dallas on July 7.
  • Next to Raveloson, Sacha Kljestan makes his 13th appearance of the season for the Galaxy. He is one of four players this season (Bond, Grandsir, Villafaña) to appear in every game in 2021.
  • Finishing off the three-man midfield is Victor Vázquez, one of the most influential signings this offseason for Vanney’s side. Vázquez tallied his second assist of 2021 against Dallas on July 7.
  • 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.
  • On the other side of the attack is fellow Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, who tallied his second assist for the club in the win over Dallas on July 7.
  • Starting up top is Ethan Zubak, who scored his first goal of the 2021 campaign against Dallas on July 7.

Game Notes:

  • LA are 8-4-0 (24 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • The Galaxy’s eight wins this season are tied for the most in MLS (Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting KC).
  • The Galaxy have scored 20 goals this season, which ranks tied for fourth in MLS with Orlando City SC.
  • Saturday’s match marks the 27th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Vancouver, with the Galaxy leading the series 13-8-5.
  • In the first meeting between the two teams this season, LA earned a 2-1 road win over Vancouver on June 23, 2021.
  • In their last three meetings dating back to March 7, 2020, LA holds a 2-1-0 record over the Whitecaps.
  • In 12 road matches in league play against the Whitecaps dating back to June 30, 2011, the Galaxy are 4-4-4.
  • Dating back to March 24, 2018, the Galaxy are 2-1-1 in their last four road matches against Vancouver.
  • Since squaring off against Vancouver on June 23, 2021, LA has gone 3-1-0 in four regular-season matches.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 5-3-1 record in nine MLS regular-season games managed against Vancouver during his time as a head coach in MLS (2015 – 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 (87), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (82). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (79) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (75).
  • Saturday’s match will mark the 799th MLS regular-season match for the Galaxy, with LA holding a 358-277-163 record.
  • Entering Saturday’s match, the Galaxy hold the highest regular season win percentage in league history (55.1%) amongst teams that have played at least 500 regular-season matches, with Sporting KC (330-295-174; 52.2%) ranking second.
  • The New England Revolution were the first team to play 800 regular season matches, while Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls and Sporting KC have all played 799 regular-season matches entering this weekend’s matches.
  • In five matches played on the road in 2021, the Galaxy are tied for the league-lead in road wins (3) and have scored eight road goals, which ranks tied for seventh in MLS.
  • In five matches played in the Community Kit this season, LA holds a 4-1-0 record.
  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is tied for the MLS lead in goals scored (10) with Seattle Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz.
  • Chicharito leads all of MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (1.04) with a minimum of 400 minutes played, with Montreal’s Mason Toye (0.88) ranking second in that category.
  • Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (8) during the 2021 campaign, and ranks second in the league in saves (56).
  • Bond, Samuel Grandsir, Sacha Kljestan and Jorge Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (12).
  • Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (12).
  • Augustine Williams, Daniel Aguirre and Josh Drack each made their MLS and Galaxy debuts in the 3-1 win over FC Dallas on July 7.
  • Notably, fourteen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney.
  • Efrain Alvarez, who signed a multi-year contract extension as an MLS U22 Initiative player on July 15, is one of six players on the LA Galaxy roster that have a Homegrown player designation.
  • Alvarez is one of 15 Homegrown signings in LA Galaxy history.

Storylines:

  • How many points will the Galaxy come away with following the three-game road trip?
  • How will the Galaxy fair without Gold Cup absences for the match against Dallas [Efrain Alvarez, Jonathan dos Santos (Mexico), Oneil Fisher (Jamaica), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Costa Rica), Sebastian Lletget (United States
  • Will Jonathan Bond continue his strong play this season to earn a spot in the MLS All-Star Game?

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