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.
- Making his first start sincea 1-0 win against San Jose on May 29, Daniel Steres returns to LA’s starting lineup. Steres has made 132 regular-season appearances (122 starts) for the Galaxy since 2016.
- Alongside Steres is Derrick Williams, who has notched two assists in six appearances (6 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 14 starts, tied with Bond as the only two players to start every match this season.
- In the middle of the park is 19-year-old midfielder Adam Saldaña, who makes his first start since a 2-1 win over LAFC on May 8. Saldaña has made 12 appearances (3 starts) in his first year with the club.
- Partnering in midfield with Saldaña is Rayan Raveloson (RYE-un RAHV-ehh-LEW-SOWN), who has tallied a goal in three consecutive matches dating back to a 3-1 win over FC Dallas at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 7.
- Closing out the three-man midfield is Sacha Kljestan, who makes his 15th 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.
- 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 an assist against Dallas on July 7. In five matches played dating back to June 26, Grandsir has tallied four assists.
- Starting up top is Victor Vázquez, who scored his first goal of the 2021 campaign in the 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on July 21.
Game Notes:
- LA is 8-5-1 (25 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
- The Galaxy’s eight wins this season are tied for the third most in MLS (Sporting KC).
- The Galaxy sit in fourth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind Seattle Sounders FC (32 points), the New England Revolution (30 points) and Sporting KC (27 points
- Following a loss, the Galaxy are 4-0-1 during the 2021 regular-season campaign, outscoring their opponents 10-5.
- The Galaxy have scored 23 goals this season, which ranks tied for fourth in MLS with Orlando City SC.
- Saturday’s contest between LA and FC Dallas marks the 76th MLS regular-season encounter dating back to 1996, with the Galaxy leading the series 35-28-12.
- In 37 all-time MLS regular-season road matches at Dallas, the Galaxy are 9-21-7.
- LA is 2-1-0 in three regular-season matches against FC Dallas dating back to March 9, 2019.
- In the first meeting between the two teams in 2021, the Galaxy earned a 3-1 win over Dallas at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 7.
- Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 2-4-0 record in six MLS regular-season games managed against Dallas during his time as manager of Toronto FC (2014-20).
- 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 (83). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (80) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (76).
- Rayan Raveloson ranks tied for second on the team with three goals in four games played (4 starts) in 2021.
- Raveloson’s three headed goals ranks tied for third in MLS.
- Raveloson tallied his first career goal in his MLS and LA Galaxy debut in a 3-1 win over FC Dallas on July 7.
- In his last three appearances dating back to July 7, Victor Vázquez has tallied one goal and two assists.
- In five matches played dating back to June 26, Samuel Grandsir has tallied four assists.
- Notably, Grandsir is tied for fourth in the league in shots that have hit the woodwork (3).
- As a team, LA has hit the woodwork seven times, which ranks tied for third in the league in 2021.
- Sacha Kljestan has notched two goals and three assists in 14 career regular-season games played (12 starts) against Dallas, dating back to 2006.
- In 13 career regular-season games played (12 starts) against Dallas, Jorge Villafaña has tallied one goal and one assist.
- In seven matches played on the road in 2021, the Galaxy are 3-3-1 and have scored 11 road goals, which ranks third in MLS.
- In eight matches played in its primary kit this season, LA holds a 4-3-1 record.
- The Galaxy are 4-2-0 in six matches played in the Community kit in 2021.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks second in MLS lead in goals scored (10), behind only Seattle Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz (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 (1.22).
- In five games played (5 starts) on the road in 2021, Hernandez is tied for the league-lead in goals scored on the road (5).
- Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (8) during the 2021 campaign, and ranks tied for first in the league in saves (60).
- Bond, Samuel Grandsir, Sacha Kljestan and Jorge Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (14).
- Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (14).
- Fourteen different players have made their Galaxy debut this season under Head Coach Greg Vanney.
Storylines:
- How many points will the Galaxy come away with following the three-game road trip?
- Will Rayan Raveloson continue banging in goals with his head?
- How will the Galaxy fair without Gold Cup absences for the match against Dallas? [Efrain Alvarez, Jonathan dos Santos (Mexico), Oniel 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?
Quick hits:
- Team of the Week presented by Audi: New England, Seattle a class above in Week 14: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-week-presented-by-audi-new-england-seattle-a-class-above-in-week-14
- Vote for AT&T Goal of the Week - MLS Week 14: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/vote-for-at-t-goal-of-the-week-mls-week-14
- Power Rankings: LAFC, Toronto FC the big climbers after Week 13: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/power-rankings-lafc-toronto-fc-the-big-climbers-after-week-13
