Following the trade of Alan Gordon to Chivas USA on August 5, Dema
Kovalenko received approval from MLS to switch his uniform number from
8, which he has worn since joining the Galaxy last season, to 21. The
Galaxy are Kovalenko’s fifth MLS team since joining the league in 1999,
having also spent time with Chicago, D.C. United, New York and Real Salt
Lake. Kovalenko wore the 21 shirt for part of his stay at each of those
locations.
Prior to Gordon and Kovalenko, Arturo Torres is the
last Galaxy player to wear the 21 shirt, donning it in the 2004 season
before joining Chivas USA. Other players to wear #21 for LA are John
Garvey, Gerardo Laterza and Roy Myers.