LA Galaxy

Starting XI presented by Modelo: San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy | June 26, 2021

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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.
  • On the right is Julian Araujo, one of the most talented young right back players in the USMNT player pool. Araujo, and LA Galaxy Academy and LA Galaxy II product, makes his 44th career MLS appearance on Saturday vs. San Jose.
  • Starting in the center of defense if 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 *Sega Coulibaly _in the center of defense. Sega has shown his talent in central defense after making two previous MLS starts with the club. On the left is MLS veteran Jorge Villafana, who has locked down the left back spot for the LA Galaxy this season, making nine starts, tied with J. Bond and Chicharito for the only three players to start every match this season.
  • In the middle of the pitch, Jonathan dos Santos returns to the starting XI after coming off of the bench vs. Vancouver midweek. JDS is one of MLS’ best central midfielders.
  • Alongside JDS is USMNT veteran Sebastian Lletget, who is the longest-tenured Galaxy member in the lineup on Saturday. Lletget will look to control the middle vs. San Jose.
  • Out wide is Kevin Cabral, who joined earlier this season as a Designated Player. The Frenchman makes his fifth start for LA.
  • On the other side of the attack is fellow Frenchman Samuel Grandsir, who has shown his quality in recent weeks.

Game Notes:

  • LA are 6-3-0 (15 pts) this season, sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
  • Saturday’s match marks the 74th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and San Jose, with the Galaxy leading the series 31-26-16.
  • In the last five regular-season meetings between the two teams dating back to Aug. 29, 2020, the series is tied 2-2-1. In 38 road contests against San Jose, the Galaxy hold a 10-18-10 record.
  • The last time the two teams faced one another, LA defeated San Jose 1-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 29, 2021.
  • The last time LA earned a road win over the Earthquakes, the Galaxy defeated San Jose 4-2 at Avaya Stadium on May 27, 2017. Giovanni dos Santos registered a brace, while Joao Pedro scored a goal in the win over San Jose.
  • Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney has a 3-2-2 record in seven MLS regular-season games managed against San Jose during his time as manager of Toronto FC (2015-20).
  • In his first career appearance against San Jose, Jonathan Bond tallied 12 saves in a 1-0 win on May 29. The performance earned Bond the MLS Player of the Week for Week 7.
  • Nine LA Galaxy players were named to their respective country’s preliminary roster for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup (Costa Rica – Giancarlo Gonzalez; Honduras – Danilo Acosta; Jamaica – Oniel Fisher; Mexico – Efrain Alvarez, Jonathan dos Santos, Javier Hernandez; Panama – Carlos Harvey; USA – Julian Araujo, Sebastian Lletget)

Storylines:

  • Chicharito (off the bench).
  • Chicharito and his goalscoring.
  • Chicharito scores a lot of goals.
  • Chicharito scores the most goals in MLS.
  • Chicharito is a massive advocate for mental health, wellbeing and maturity and it translates into his competitive mentality.
  • How will the Galaxy fare playing two games in the span of four days?
  • Will the Galaxy build on their momentum of beating San Jose earlier this season?
  • Can Efrain Alvarez provide another offensive spark for the side off the bench?
  • How will JDS look after returning from injury?
  • Why would anyone choose to live in San Jose when Los Angeles exists?

Quick hits:

Broadcast:

  • Pregame:
  • Chicharito Interview on arrival
  • In-game:
  • Greg Vanney headset interview in the 25th minute
  • Postgame:
  • Interview with player on the field if the LA Galaxy win

Frank Sinatra Lyrics – My Way

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way

Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows

I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes, it was my way

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