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 is 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 has tallied one assist in five games played (5 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 13 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 scored for a second consecutive match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 17.
- Next to Raveloson, Sacha Kljestan makes his 14th 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, who tallied an assist for a second consecutive match, his third of the season, against Vancouver on July 17.
- Out wide is Homegrown forward Cameron Dunbar, who has played 206 minutes in 11 appearances (1 start) this campaign.
- On the right side of the attack is Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, has registered three assists in his last four games played dating back to June 26. Grandsir ranks tied for third in the league in shots that have hit the woodwork (3).
- Starting up top is Kévin Cabral, who has notched one goal and one assist in nine games played (8 starts) in his first season with LA as a Young Designated Player.
Game Notes:
- LA is 8-5-0 (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 (New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting KC).
- LA (24 points) sits in fourth place in the Supporters Shield race, behind Seattle (29 points), New England (27 points) and Sporting KC (26 points).
- Following a loss, the Galaxy are 4-0-0 during the 2021 regular-season campaign, outscoring their opponents 8-3
- The Galaxy have scored 21 goals this season, which ranks tied for fourth in MLS with Nashville SC and Orlando City SC.
- Wednesday’s match marks the 43rd MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Real Salt Lake, with the Galaxy leading the series 18-15-9.
- In seven all-time MLS playoff meetings against RSL, LA holds a 4-1-2 record.
- In its last four meetings against RSL dating back to April 28, 2019, LA holds a 4-1-0 record.
- In 20 all-time MLS regular-season road matches at RSL, the Galaxy 5-8-7.
- The Galaxy are 2-2-0 in their last four road matches against RSL dating back to March, 18, 2017.
- Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 2-2-1 record in five MLS regular-season game managed against Real Salt Lake during his time as a head coach 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 (93). Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes ranks second (87), while Philadelphia’s Jim Curtain ranks third (83). Orlando’s Oscar Pareja (79) ranks fourth, while Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer rounds out the top five (75).
- Wednesday’s match will mark the 800th MLS regular-season match for the Galaxy, with LA holding a 358-278-163 record.
- Entering Saturday’s match, the Galaxy hold the highest regular season win percentage in league history (55.0%) amongst teams that have played at least 500 regular-season matches, with Sporting KC (330-295-174; 52.2%) ranking second.
- In six matches played on the road in 2021, the Galaxy are 3-3-0, tied for the league-lead in road wins (3) and have scored nine road goals, which ranks tied for sixth in MLS.
- In seven matches played in its primary kit this season, LA holds a 4-3-0 record.
- Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is tied for the MLS lead in goals scored (10) with Seattle Sounders FC forward Raúl Ruidíaz.
- Chicharito ranks second in MLS in goals per 90 minutes played (1.04) with a minimum of 400 minutes played, behind only Montreal’s Mason Toye (1.08).
- In five games played (5 starts) on the road in 2021, Hernandez has scored five goals.
- Jonathan Bond leads all MLS goalkeepers in wins (8) during the 2021 campaign, and ranks tied for first in the league in saves (58).
- Bond, Samuel Grandsir, Sacha Kljestan and Jorge Villafaña are the only four Galaxy players play in every match this season (13).
- Bond and Villafaña are the only two LA players to start every match this year (13).
- Rayan Raveloson ranks tied for second on the team with two goals in three games played (3 starts) in 2021.
- Raveloson’s two headed goals ranks tied for third in MLS.
- 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?
- Will Rayan Raveloson continue banging in goals with his head?
- How will the Galaxy fair without Gold Cup absences for the match against RSL? [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:
- Match preview: https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/match-preview-presented-by-echo-outdoor-power-real-salt-lake-vs-la-galaxy-july-2
- 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
- Recap: Vancouver Whitecaps 2, LA Galaxy 1: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/recap-vancouver-whitecaps-2-la-galaxy-1
