Starting XI presented Modelo: LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Oct. 18, 2020

Lineup notes:

• It’s Sunday night soccer at Dignity Health Sports Park as the LA Galaxy host Vancouver Whitecaps in a crucial matchup between two Western Conference sides fighting for a spot in postseason play.
• U.S. keeper Jonathan Klinsmann will continue in net for the Galaxy after making his debut vs. San Jose on Wednesday. Klinsmann put in a solid shift earlier this week and will look to build on his performance.
• On the right side of defense is speedster Julian Araujo, who has locked down a starting spot for LA and will once again play in his natural right back position. Araujo has made 11 starts this season.
• In the middle is the veteran Daniel Steres, who continues in his starting role. Steres has made 14 starts this season and 202 in his career with LA.
• Costa Rican international Giancarlo Gonzalez slots into the starting XI on Sunday’s match. The World Cup veteran will make his 37^th MLS start between LA and Columbus.
• On the left is Emiliano Insua, the veteran Argentine with experience playing at the top levels throughout Europe. Insua is the only Galaxy player to start every match this year for the Galaxy.
• Making his second-straight start is the veteran Sacha Kljestan, whose will start his 250^th match in Major League Soccer Sunday evening. Only 14 active players have made more MLS starts.
• Alongside Kljestan in the center is Perry Kitchen, who recently made his 200^th start in MLS. Kitchen has been a regular this season for LA. Between Perry and Sacha is nearly 500 total appearances.
• On the right side of the midfield is Efrain Alvarez, the talented LA Galaxy Academy product who has become a consistent contributor this season. Alvarez makes his 5^th start of the year in what will mark his 14^th appearance.
• Pulling the strings on offense is Sebastian Lletget, who has thrived in a central attacking role this year. Lletget has six goals and two assists on the year.
• Out wide is the talented playmaker Cristian Pavon, the Argentine World Cup veteran who has thrived in LA since arriving on loan late last year. Pavon has seven goals and six assists this season.
• Up top is Colombian speedster, Yony Gonzalez, who is making his second-straight start after his debut start on Wednesday. Gonzalez will lead the offense Sunday night.

Game notes:

• The Galaxy are 11-7-5 all-time against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
• At home, LA are 8-4-1 against Vancouver all time.
• LA are 3-2-1 when scoring first and 1-7-1 when conceding first this season.
• LA will be without Jonathan dos Santos and Rolf Feltscher, who were away on international duty and undergoing MLS protocol before rejoining team.

Storylines:

• Can the Galaxy snap the streak and get a result Sunday?
• How will the adjusted lineup look with Giancarlo Gonzalez and Yony Gonzalez both starting?
• Can Klinsmann build off his debut on Wednesday?
• Can Pavon get back on the scoresheet?
• How will Yony look as the lone striker?

Quick notes:

• Match preview: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/10/16/match-preview-la-galaxy-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-oct-18-2020
• Julian Araujo continues to be a champion in his community: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/10/16/la-galaxy-defender-julian-araujo-supports-ufw-foundation-efforts
• JDS and his fighting spirit in LA: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/10/16/jonathan-dos-santos-dreams-future-la-galaxy-modelo-fighting-spirit?autoplay=true
• Latinx Heritage month – Carson native connects community through murals: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/10/12/watch-carson-native-miranda-villanueva-and-her-mission-connect-community-through?autoplay=true
• FIFA21 is out – Julian and Efra give us the breakdown of their ratings: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/10/09/julian-araujo-and-efrain-alvarez-break-down-one-anothers-rankings-fifa-21?autoplay=true

Jump Lyrics – Van Halen (1983)

I get up

And nothing gets me down

You got it tough

I've seen the toughest all around

And I know

Baby, just how you feel

You've got to roll

With the punches to get to what's real

Oh can't you see me standing here

I've got my back against the record machine

I ain't the worst that you've seen

Oh can't you see what I mean?

Might as well jump. Jump!

Might as well jump

Go ahead, jump. Jump!

Go ahead and jump

Ah-oh, hey you! Who said that?

Baby, how you been?

You say you don't know

You won't know until you begin

So can't you see me standing here

I've got my back against the record machine

I ain't the worst that you've seen

Oh can't you see what I mean?

Might as well jump. Jump!

Go ahead and jump

Might as well jump. Jump!

Go ahead and jump

Jump!

Might as well jump. Jump!

Go ahead and jump

Get it and jump. Jump!

Go ahead and jump

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!