Starting XI: GK John McCarthy; D Miki Yamane, D Maya Yoshida ©, D Eriq Zavaleta, D Julián Aude; M Mark Delgado, M Edwin Cerrillo, M Riqui Puig, F Gabirel Pec, F Joseph Paintsil, F Dejan Joveljić
Substitutes: GK Novak Mićović; D Mauricio Cuevas, D John Nelson, M Daniel Aguirre, M Gastón Brugman, M Diego Fagundez, M Jonathan Pérez, M Gino Vivi, F Miguel Berry
Lineup Notes:
- 2022 MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy makes his fifth consecutive start in goal for the LA Galaxy in tonight’s match against Sporting KC. McCarthy, who made two saves in the 3-3 come-from-behind draw at home against St. Louis CITY SC on March 16, posted four shutouts in eight matches played during LAFC’s run to the 2022-23 Concacaf Champions League Final, earning Golden Glove honors and being named to the Concacaf Champions League Best XI.
- Japanese International defender Miki Yamane starts at right back for the LA Galaxy against Kansas City. Yamane, who has made three starts during the 2024 campaign, was named to the J1 League Best XI in three consecutive seasons (2020, 2021, 2022), and helped Kawasaki Frontale earn two J1 League titles (2021, 2020), two Emperor’s Cup titles (2020, 2023) and one Japanese Super Cup (2021).
- Japanese International defender Maya Yoshida captains the Galaxy in tonight’s match. Yoshida, who tallied the game-tying goal in the 3-3 draw against St. Louis on March 16, tallied one goal and one assist in 12 appearances (12 starts) for the Galaxy in league play last year.
- Making his first start of the 2024 campaign is El Salvador National Team defender Eriq Zavaleta, who has tallied two goals in 16 career regular-season appearances (7 starts) across three seasons (2022-24) for the LA Galaxy
- Argentine youth international defender Julián Aude, who has tallied an assist in two consecutive matches played dating back to March 10, gets the start at left back. Aude notched one goal in 27 appearances (18 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy during the 2023 season.
- Edwin Cerrillo, who has tallied five assists in 102 career MLS regular season appearances (75 starts), makes his fifth appearance (5th start) of the 2024 campaign as the holding midfielder for LA.
- Mark Delgado, who leads the LA Galaxy with four assists in four appearances (4 starts) for LA during the 2024 campaign,makes his fifth start of the season in tonight’s match against the SKC. Delgado has tallied 21 goals and 35 assists in 281 career MLS regular-season appearances (245 starts).
- Riqui Puig, who has recorded 28 goal contributions (14 goals, 14 assists) in 50 career appearances (48 starts) across all comps for LA, starts in midfield. The 2023 MLS All-Star recorded a goal for a second consecutive match in the draw against Nashville on March 10. Puig finished the 2023 campaign ranked first amongst all players in MLS in touches (2,752) and successful passes entering the final third (640), second in dribbles completed (92) and passes completed (1,892) and sixth in chances created from open play (55).
- Ghanaian International winger Joseph Paintsil, who recorded his second goal of the season in the 3-3 draw against St. Louis on March 16, makes his fifth start of the 2024 campaign. Entering Saturday, Paintsil has three goal contributions (2 goals, 1 assist), leads MLS in shots that have hit the post (2), ranks tied for 12 in the league in chances created (8) and tied for 14th in MLS in dribbles completed (7).
- Brazilian youth international forward Gabriel Pec makes his first career start for the LA Galaxy in tonight’s match against Sporting KC. Pec, who has made three appearances for LA during the 2023 campaign, recorded 40 goal contributions (26 goals, 14 assists) in 178 appearances across all competitions with Vasco da Gama (2019-23).
- Serbian International forward Dejan Joveljić, who entered Saturday tied for first in goals scored (4) after scoring in four consecutive matches to begin the 2024 campaign, gets the start up top for LA. In 10 league matches played (5 starts) dating back to Sept. 24, 2023, Joveljić has nine goal contributions (7 goals, 2 assists). Joveljić’s 1.41 combined goals and assists per 90 mins (min. 360 minutes played) during that span ranks second in MLS behind only Christian Benteke (1.75).
