Lineup Notes:
- Making his return in goal is Jonathan Bond. In his first career appearance against Austin FC on May 15, Bond registered two saves and a shutout.
- Julian Araujo, one of the best right backs in MLS, gets the start. Araujo ranks second in the league in assists (6) amongst all defenders and ranks fourth in the league in tackles won (41).
- Playing in the heart of defense is Séga Coulibaly, who has started nine consecutive matches dating back to Aug. 4.
- Next to Coulibaly is Daniel Steres, who makes his fourth consecutive start dating back to a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 11.
- Playing at left back is Jorge Villafaña, who has made 20 appearances (19 starts) for the Galaxy. Villafaña ranks third on the team in minutes played (1,660).
- On the right side of the attack is Sebastian Lletget, who will be making his 150 career regular-season appearance for the Galaxy, becoming just the 13th player in the club’s 26-year history to achieve that feat.
- Captaining the Galaxy is Jonathan dos Santos, who has tallied one goal in 17 games played (13 starts) during the 2021 campaign.
- Playing next to Dos Santos is Madagascar international Rayan Raveloson, who ranks second on the team with five goals in 14 games played (14 starts).
- On the left side of the attack is Young Designated Player Kévin Cabral, who ranks third on the team in goals scored (4) and second in shots taken (35).
- Making his 14th appearance (13th start) of the year is Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who ranks first on the team with 11 goals scored in 12 starts in his second season with the Galaxy.
- Starting up top alongside Chicharito is* Víctor Vázquez*, who ranks first on the team with 40 chances created.
Game Notes:
- The LA Galaxy are 11-9-5 (38 pts) this season, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
- Sunday’s match marks the second MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Austin, with the Galaxy earning a 2-0 win at home over Austin FC in the first matchup on May 15, 2021.
- Javier “Chicharito Hernandez and Sebastian Lletget both tallied goals against Austin, while Jonathan Bond posted a shutout in the win.
- In 12 games played on the road during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy hold a 4-5-3 record.
- In its last four road matches played dating back to Aug. 14, LA holds a 1-1-2 record.
- In four matches played on the road with LA, Dejan Joveljić has notched two goals and one assist.
- Sebastian Lletget is the club’s active leader with 149 regular-season games played (125 starts), adding 21 goals and 26 assists for the Galaxy.
- Kévin Cabral notched the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Loons on Aug. 14, 2021.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks tied for eighth in MLS in goals scored (11).
- Chicharito ranks second in MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (0.94) with a minimum of 500 minutes played, behind only D.C. United’s Ola Kamara (1.28).
- In seven games played on the road during the 2021 campaign, Chicharito has tallied five goals.
- Rayan Raveloson’s ranks tied for fourth in the league in headed goals (3) this year.
- Amongst all MLS goalkeepers, Jonathan Bond ranks fifth in wins (10) and ranks third in saves (89) during the 2021 campaign.
- Sacha Kljestan became the 49th player in league history to appear in 300 MLS regular-season games with his appearance against Colorado on Sept. 11.
- Samuel Grandsir ranks tied for third in the league this season in shots that have hit the woodwork (4).
- In six appearances off the bench this season, Efrain Alvarez has tallied one goal and one assist.
- Daniel Steres is the Galaxy’s second-longest tenured player with 137 career regular-season appearances (126 starts).
- Niko Hämäläinen has made six appearances (6 starts) for LA since joining on the club on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
- Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 1-0-0 record in one MLS regular-season game managed against Austin 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 (92), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (86). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (83) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (80).
- With two more wins, Greg Vanney (98-77-53, .546) 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.
Storylines:
- With his next appearance, LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget will become the 13th player in the club’s 26-year history to play in 150 MLS regular-season games.
- Will LA be able to get two road wins in the span of four days to move up the Western Conference standings?
- Can the Galaxy win their first match in six games played (1-0-2)?
- Can Dejan Joveljić keep up his impressive form since joining the Galaxy (2 goals and 2 assists in 7 games played)?
- Can Chicharito continue knocking in goals for the Galaxy?
Quick hits:
- Galaxy visits Austin FC seeking different momentum: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/09/25/galaxy-visits-austin-fc-seeking-different-momentum/
- LA Galaxy seek "momentum" at Austin FC as playoff pressure increases: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/la-galaxy-seek-momentum-at-austin-fc-as-playoff-pressure-increases
- NOTEBOOK: LLETGET TO MARK A CAREER MILESTONE SUNDAY: http://cornerofthegalaxy.com/2021/09/24/notebook-lletget-to-mark-a-career-milestone-sunday/
- Greg Vanney warns against complacency when facing 'dangerous' Austin FC: https://www.90min.com/posts/mls-news-greg-vanney-warns-against-complacency-when-facing-austin-fc
