Lineup Notes:
- Starting in goal is Jonathan Bond. The Englishman has tallied 100 saves and three shutouts in 25 games played in his first season with LA.
- 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 (47).
- Playing in the heart of defense is Nick DePuy, who has tallied one assist in a career-high 20 games played (13 starts) for LA this season.
- Next to DePuy is* Derrick Williams, who makes his first start for the Galaxy since starting and playing 71 minutes against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 11. Playing at left back is Niko Hämäläinen, who has made nine appearances (8 starts) for the Galaxy since joining on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
- On the right side of the attack is Kévin Cabral, who has tallied four goals and one assist in 22 games played (19 starts) in his first season for the Galaxy.
- Captaining the Galaxy is Jonathan dos Santos, who will make his 100th appearance across all competitions for LA in the match against Portland.
- Playing next to Dos Santos is Madagascar international Rayan Raveloson, who ranks second on the team with five goals scored in 17 games played (17 starts) this season.
- On the left side of the attack is Samuel Grandsir, who has tallied three goals and four assists in 28 games played (22 starts) in his first season for the Galaxy.
- Playing up top is Victor Vázquez, who ranks first on the team with 49 chances created in 23 appearances (17 starts).
- Making his 17th appearance (16th start) of the year is Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez**, who has notched a team-leading 12 goals scored and two assists this year.
Game Notes:
- The LA Galaxy (11-11-6, 39 points, -6 GD) sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, level on points with fifth-place Real Salt Lake (11-11-6, 39 points, 1 GD).
- Saturday’s match marks the 29th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Portland, with the series tied 11-11-6.
- In 14 regular-season meetings at home against Portland, the Galaxy hold an 8-3-3 record.
- In the second meeting between the two teams this season, the Galaxy defeated the Timbers 4-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 30.
- Rayan Raveloson, Victor Vazquez, Sacha Kljestan and Samuel Grandsir each scored in the win over Portland on July 30.
- In the last four meetings at Dignity Health Sports Park between LA and Portland dating back to March 4, 2018, the Galaxy hold a 3-1-0 record.
- In 14 games played at home during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy hold a 7-4-3 record.
- The Galaxy rank tied for 13th in the league in goals scored (39).
- As a team, the Galaxy have scored six headed goals.
- LA has tallied three goals from outside the box.
- The Galaxy have registered 36 goals scored inside the box this season.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ranks 10th in MLS in goals scored (12) in 16 appearances during the 2021 campaign.
- Chicharito ranks second in MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (0.82) with a minimum of 500 minutes played, behind only D.C. United’s Ola Kamara (1.13).
- In seven games played at home during the 2021 campaign, Chicharito has tallied six goals.
- Julian Araujo has appeared in a career-high 26 games played (26 starts) for LA, ranking first on the team in assists (6) and ranking fourth in the league in tackles won (47) during the 2021 campaign.
- In six career appearances (6 starts) against Portland, Araujo has tallied one goal and two assists.
- Victor Vázquez ranks first on the team with 49 chances created in 23 appearances (17 starts).
- Dejan Joveljić has notched two goals and two assists in 10 regular-season games played (5 starts) in his first season with LA.
- Sebastian Lletget is the club’s active leader with 152 regular-season games played (127 starts), adding 21 goals and 26 assists for the Galaxy.
- Jonathan dos Santos has tallied seven and 12 assists in 99 games played (87 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy since joining the club in 2017.
- With his next appearance, Dos Santos will make his 100th appearance across all competitions for LA.
- Kévin Cabral has tallied four goals and one assist in 22 games played (19 starts) for LA in his first season for the club.
- Rayan Raveloson’s ranks tied for fifth in the league in headed goals (3) this year.
- Amongst all MLS goalkeepers, Jonathan Bond ranks third in the league in saves (100) during the 2021 campaign.
- Samuel Grandsir is the only player on the roster to appear in every match this season (28).
- Grandsir ranks tied for third in the league this season in shots that have hit the woodwork (4).
- Victor Vazquez leads the team with 49 chances created in 23 games played.
- In 20 games played (13 starts), Efrain Alvarez has tallied two goals and three assists.
- Sacha Kljestan has notched three goals and four assists in 25 games played (12 starts) in his second season in LA.
- Daniel Steres is the Galaxy’s second-longest tenured player with 139 career regular-season appearances (127 starts).
- Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 4-4-0 record in eight MLS regular-season games managed against Portland 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 (94), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (89). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (84) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer (84) rounds out the top five.
- With two more wins, Greg Vanney (98-79-54, .541) 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:
- Can the Galaxy remain continue their strong record at home against Portland (8-3-3)?
- Will Julian Araujo continue to impress in defense?
- Can Chicharito continue knocking in goals for the Galaxy?
- Galaxy players returning back from international duty.
- Danilo Acosta, Niko Hämäläinen, Sebastian Lletget, Oniel Fisher and Rayan Raveloson all featured for their respective national teams during FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Quick hits:
- NOTEBOOK: KLJESTAN STILL UPBEAT ABOUT TEAM’S CHANCES: http://cornerofthegalaxy.com/2021/10/15/notebook-kljestan-still-upbeat-about-teams-chances/
- LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo and midfielder Efrain Alvarez named to 2021 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR: https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-defender-julian-araujo-and-midfielder-efrain-alvarez-named-to-2021-22-
