Starting XI presented by Modelo: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy | November 8, 2020

Overview:

The 2020 MLS Regular Season concludes Sunday afternoon for the LA Galaxy in Portland.

In February, we kicked off the club’s 25^th season and unveiled the Victoria Block in front of a sold-out crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park. That was followed by a global pandemic, months of uncertainty, the world’s very-first MLS is Back Tournament and the eventual return to play in local markets. And now we find ourselves at the finish line. But we’ve still got 90 minutes left.

Lineup notes! Get your lineup notes here!

• Interim Manager Dominic Kinnear leads LA into the final match on Sunday in his third game in charge. He is unbeaten in his first two, going 1-0-1. Kinnear is tied for the third most wins in Major League Soccer history.
• In net, David Bingham gets his third-straight start under Kinnear. Bingham will be making his 180^th start in MLS between the Earthquakes and the Galaxy.
• On the right is Julian Araujo, the youngster who has enjoyed a breakout season for LA. One of the top young talents in the league, Araujo has locked down the starting spot at right back.
• In the center is Pura-Vida loving Giancarlo Gonzalez, who has enjoyed a late-season resurgence in the starting XI. Gonzalez is a former MLS Best XI member and a 2014 FIFA World Cup veteran.
• Daniel Steres makes his 20^th start of the season in the club’s 22^nd match this year. Steres is a Galaxy mainstay who has carved out a significant role with his hometown club. In all, he’s got 114 MLS starts to his name.
• On the left is Emiliano Insua, the Argentine left back who has started in every game this season for LA. Insua has been one of the most consistent players this year.
• On the right side of the midfield is Colombian Yony Gonzalez, who will be making his seventh start this season on loan. Gonzalez can stretch the field wide on Sunday.
• In the middle of the field is the MLS vet Perry Kitchen, who is set to make his 207^th start in MLS. Perry has been consistently used as a starter since the restart in play.
• Joe Corona gets the nod in the center of the pitch after recovering from a knock in recent weeks. Corona has been a critical part of the Galaxy’s midfield this year.
• Out wide on the left is winger Cristian Pavon, one of the brightest talents in MLS. He has started every match this year for LA.
• Pulling the strings on offense if the teenage Efrain Alvarez. Efra is coming off of a strong performance as a substitute in last game where he provided the assist to the Galaxy’s goal.
• Up top is Ethan Zubak, the LA Galaxy Academy product making his third-straight start under Kinnear. MLZ.

Some tidbits:

• The LA Galaxy are 12-7-5 all-time against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, including 3-3-4 on the road.
• This year, the Galaxy are 5-2-2 when scoring first and 1-9-1 when conceding.
• LA Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon leads the LA Galaxy in goals and assists this year with 10 goals and 7 assists.
• The LA Galaxy were eliminated from postseason play on Wednesday following the match vs. Seattle.

Good old-fashioned storylines:

• Can the LA Galaxy end the year of 2020 on a high note?
• Will Cristian Pavon finish the season with a goal?
• Can Chicharito build off his goal from Wednesday?
• Will any youngsters shine on Sunday afternoon heading into next season?
• Can Dom Kinnear go undefeated in three games managed as interim head coach?

My 2020 Takeaways:

• Be decent to others.
  • 2020 has been a real doozy for pretty much everyone. Kindness, empathy and encouragement go a long way. You never know what someone else is going through, but we’re all doing what we can. Be good to others.
• The most important things are relationships. Take care of yours.
  • I believe the most important thing in life is relationships. They are what fundamentally provide value in life. Sports ultimately create a platform that fosters relationships amongst teammates, fans and families. Take care of your relationships.
• Wine taste.
  • Wine tasting is really great.
• Get off your phone.
  • It’s good to take some time to experience things without screen time. Show your Sunday-evening, weekly screen time notification who’s boss. Go periods of time without TV, your phone and log out of your social media.
• Prioritize. Set goals.
  • There has been some time this year to step back and think about things. Think about what matters to you and see if your life aligns with it. If it doesn’t, find out what you can do to change it. Set goals to get there.

Quick Hits:

• Match preview: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/11/07/match-preview-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-la-galaxy-november-8-2020
• JDS surprises an STM: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/11/05/jonathan-dos-santos-surprises-la-galaxy-stm-year-christian-matheus-lorenzo?autoplay=true
• Julian Araujo with an honor from the fans: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/11/05/watch-julian-araujo-wins-2020-la-riot-squad-player-year-award?autoplay=true
• Check out how Galaxy II player Maurcio Cuevas became the best free-kick taker in USL: https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2020/11/05/watch-learn-how-mauricio-cuevas-became-deadliest-free-kick-specialist-usl?autoplay=true

Love Never Felt So Good Lyrics – Michael Jackson

Baby, love never felt so good

And I doubt if it ever could

Not like you hold me, hold me

Oh, baby, love never felt so fine

And I doubt if it's ever mine

Not like you hold me, hold me

And the night is gonna be just fine

Gotta fly, gotta see, got to be

I can't take it

'Cause, baby, every time I love you

In and out of my life, in out, baby

Tell me, if you really love me

It's in and out my life, in out, baby

So, baby, yes, love never felt so good

Baby, love never felt so fine

And I doubt if it's ever mine

Not like you hold me, hold me

Baby, love never felt so good

And I doubt if it ever could

Not like you hold me, hold me

And the night is gonna be just fine

Gotta fly, gotta see, can't believe

I can't take it

'Cause, baby, every time I love you

It's in and out my life, in out, baby

Tell me, if you really love me

It's in and out my life driving me crazy

Baby, love never felt so good

Aw, baby, love never felt so fine

And I doubt if you're mine all mine

Not like you hold me, hold me

Aw, baby, love never felt so good (so good)

And I doubt if it ever could

Not like you hold me, hold me

And the night is gonna be just fine

Gotta fly, gotta see, can't believe

I can't take it

'Cause, baby, every time I love you

It's in and out my life, in out, baby

Tell me, if you really love me

It's in and out my life driving me crazy

'Cause, baby, love never felt so good

Felt so good

Never felt so good

Felt so good

Never felt so good

Never felt so good

Never felt so good

Never felt so good

Alright that's fine, that's it