2022

LA Galaxy Fall 3-2 to LAFC in 16th edition of El Tráfico

Squaring off in the 16th edition of El Tráfico, the LA Galaxy fell 3-2 on the road to LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Friday night. Rayan Raveloson tallied a goal and an assist for the Galaxy, while Samuel Grandsir scored his first goal of the 2022 campaign.

LA Galaxy Against LAFC
Friday’s match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-4-5. In three matches played against LAFC across all competitions this season, the Galaxy are 2-1-0, outscoring LAFC 7-5. The loss to LAFC marked the Galaxy’s first defeat in six games played in the series dating back Oct. 25, 2020. In 16 editions of El Tráfico, the Galaxy and LAFC have combined to score 70 goals, or an average of 4.36 goals scored per game.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LFC – Jose Cifuentes (Kellyn Acosta), 17th minute: Kellyn Acosta’s in-swinging corner kick found Jose Cifuentes, whose header from the center of the penalty area found the back of the net.

LA – Samuel Grandsir (Rayan Raveloson, Efraín Álvarez), 55th minute: At the top of the 18-yard box, Efraín Álvarez found Rayan Raveloson on the left side of the penalty area. The Madagascar international dribbled toward the end line and cut a pass back towards the middle of the box to Samuel Grandsir, whose sliding shot snuck past Maxime Crepeau.

LFC – Jose Cifuentes (Carlos Vela), 70th minute: Cutting onto his left foot, Carlos Vela delivered a cross into the box that Cifuentes headed in from close range.

LFC – Cristian Arango (Carlos Vela, Kwadwo Poku), 72nd minute: Cristian Arango dribbled towards goal and his right-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box found the bottom, far corner of the net.

LA – Rayan Raveloson (Víctor Vázquez), 81st minute: Working down the right side of the penalty area, Víctor Vázquez’s driven cross into the center of the box was forcefully headed into the back of the net by Rayan Raveloson.


Postgame Notes

  • Friday’s match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-4-5. 

  • In 16 editions of El Tráfico, the LA Galaxy and LAFC have combined to score 70 goals, or an average of 4.36 goals per game.

  • In three matches played against LAFC across all competitions this season, the LA Galaxy are 2-1-0, outscoring LAFC 7-5.

  • The loss to LAFC marked the Galaxy’s first defeat in six games played in the series dating back Oct. 25, 2020.

  • In nine matches played on the road across all competitions in 2022, LA holds a 4-3-2 record.

  • The Galaxy rank second in the league in goals scored in the last 15 minutes of the second half (10), behind only LAFC (12)

  • LA has scored multiple goals in the second halves of their last three matches played in MLS regular-season play dating back to June 29.

  • Rayan Raveloson notched a goal and an assist in the loss to LAFC.

  • Raveloson has tallied three goals and one assist in the team’s last two matches dating back July 4.

  • The goal against LAFC marked Samuel Grandsir’s first goal of the 2022 campaign.

  • Grandsir made his 56th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.

  • Efraín Álvarez recorded an assist for a second consecutive match dating back to July 4.

  • Víctor Vázquez notched his second assist in league play this year.

  • Vázquez registered a game-high five chances created in 21 minutes played as a second-half substitute.

  • Mark Delgado finished the match with a team-high 11 possessions won and a game-high four interceptions.

  • Julián Araujo started and played 90 minutes in his 90th career appearance (80 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy.  

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to the San Jose Earthquakes in the 78th regular-season edition of the California Clásico at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, July 13. The July 13 match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

Greg Vanney, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Jonathan Bond and Raheem Edwards comments ahead of El Trafico

LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney and defender Raheem Edwards spoke during a media availability today, Thursday, July 7, as the team prepares for the 16th edition of El Tráfico against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Friday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. PT live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

Friday’s match between the Galaxy and LAFC marks the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-3-5. In two matches played against LAFC this season, the Galaxy are 2-0-0, outscoring LAFC 5-2. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Galaxy defeated LAFC 3-1 in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 25 behind goals from Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Kévin Cabral and Dejan Joveljić. Notably, the Galaxy are unbeaten in five consecutive matches played (3-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021.The last time the two teams met at Banc of California Stadium, Joveljić tallied two goals in a 3-3 draw on Aug. 28, 2021.

the team prepares for the 13th edition of El Tráfico against LAFC

After earning a 3-1 win on the road against the Portland Timbers on April 3, the LA Galaxy (3-2-0, 9 points) return home to play host to LAFC (4-0-1, 13 points) in the 13th edition of El Tráfico at Dignity Health Sports Park (4:30 p.m. PT; FOX, FOX Deportes) in a match presented by Herbalife Nutrition on Saturday, April 9.Saturday’s match marks the 13th MLS regular-season meeting between the two teams, with the LA Galaxy leading the series 5-2-5. The Galaxy are unbeaten in three consecutive matches against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021. In six regular-season meetings between the two sides at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 4-0-2. In two career games played against LAFC, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has registered one goal and two assists. Notably, Raheem Edwards leads MLS with four assists in five matches played.

Head Coach Greg Vanney, Forward Javier Hernández and Defender Raheem Edwards spoke about the upcoming match.

LA Galaxy fall 3-2 on the road to Seattle Sounders FC

Douglas Costa scored his first career goal for the LA Galaxy in the match against Seattle.

Sustaining their first loss of the 2022 MLS regular season, the LA Galaxy fell 1-0 on the road to Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández notched his second goal of the season, while Douglas Costa tallied his first career goal for the Galaxy. Notably, Raheem Edwards registered an assist in his third consecutive match to begin the season in the loss to Seattle.

LA Galaxy Against Seattle Sounders FC
Saturday’s match marked the 34 MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Seattle, with the Galaxy trailing the series 10-12-12. In 17 regular-season matches played in Seattle, LA holds a record of 4-7-6. In his last two appearances against Seattle at Lumen Field, Chicharito has tallied two goals.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Rayan Raveloson, Raheem Edwards), 6th minute: Edwards cut inside from the left wing and slipped Rayan Raveloson into the penalty box. Raveloson quickly passed the ball to Chicharito, whose shot from the center of the box was fired into the roof of the net.

SEA – Jordan Morris, 17th minute: Following a Seattle corner kick into the box, Jordan Morris’ shot from a scramble inside the six-yard box was bungled past the goal line.

SEA – Fredy Montero (penalty kick), 45+2nd minute: Fredy Montero’s penalty-kick shot was rolled into the bottom left corner of the goal.

LA – Douglas Costa, 48th minute: Douglas Costa’s left-footed effort from a free-kick attempt on the right edge of the 18-yard box was deflected into the back of the net past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

SEA – Xavier Arreaga (Alex Roldan, Cristian Roldan), 72nd minute: From a free kick, Alex Roldan’s pass into the box found the head of Arreaga, who redirected the ball into the right side of the net.



Post Game Interviews


LA GALAXY HEAD COACH GREG VANNEY

LA GALAXY DEFENDER RAHEEM EDWARDS

LA GALAXY MIDFIELDER MARK DELGADO

Postgame Notes

  • Saturday’s match marked the 34th MLS regular-season meeting between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC.

  • In 16 regular-season matches played in Seattle, LA holds a record of 4-7-6.

  • The loss to Seattle snapped a four-match unbeaten run by the Galaxy dating back to Nov. 1, 2021.

  • LA hit the post twice in the match against Seattle, with Kévin Cabral striking the post and Efraín Álvarez hitting the crossbar.

  • The Galaxy have won their first two matches in regular-season play for the second consecutive season.

  • LA has not won in Seattle in regular-season play dating back to a 1-0 win over the Sounders on July 9, 2016.

  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied his second goal of the 2022 campaign.

  • Chicharito has tallied a goal against Seattle in two consecutive appearances dating back to Nov. 1, 2021.

  • Douglas Costa scored his first career goal for the LA Galaxy in the match against Seattle.

  • Costa registered a game-high three chances created.

  • Raheem Edwards tallied an assist in his third consecutive match to begin the 2022 season.

  • Edwards has notched five assists in his last six regular-season games played, dating back Oct. 26, 2021.

  • Rayan Raveloson logged his first assist of the season.

  • Mark Delgado finished the match with a team-high eight possessions won.

  • Samuel Grandsir has played in 37 consecutive matches for the Galaxy since making his debut for the club on April 18, 2021.

  • Julián Araujo made his 70th MLS regular-season appearance for LA, which ranks as the most by an active player on the Galaxy roster.


Next Game
Next up, the Galaxy play host to Orlando City SC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, March 19. The March 19 match kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on Univision and TUDN. 


images and game notes provided by LA Galaxy Communications.

LA Galaxy Sign El Salvador International Defender Eriq Zavaleta

Salvadoran international defender signed to a one-year contract through the end of the 2022 MLS regular season with a club option for 2023

The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has signed El Salvador international defender Eriq Zavaleta to a one-year contract through the end of the 2022 MLS regular season with a club option for 2023. 

Zavaleta, 29, joins LA after logging two goals and one assist in 140 regular-season games played (109 starts) across nine seasons played in MLS for three teams: Sounders FC (2013), Chivas USA (2014) and Toronto FC (2015-21). Notably, Zavaleta was part of the treble-winning Toronto FC side that claimed MLS Cup, the Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship in 2017 under LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. In seven seasons with Toronto FC, Zavaleta registered two goals and one assist in 118 regular-season appearances (94 starts), while making 11 career appearances (9 starts) and adding one assist for Toronto in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. 

“Eriq is an experienced defender who brings more leadership and championship pedigree to our back line,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “We welcome him to the team and look forward to integrating him into the group.”

In the 2021 MLS season, Zavaleta made 14 appearances (12 starts) in 1,020 minutes played for Toronto. In 2019, when Toronto reached the MLS Cup final, Zavaleta made 16 regular-season appearances (11 starts) in 1,015 minutes played. During the 2018 campaign, the Westfield, Ind., native helped Toronto FC lift the Canadian Championship and played in 21 MLS regular-season games (16 starts) in 1,488 minutes played. Zavaleta tallied one goal in a career-high 29 regular-season appearances (27 starts) during Toronto FC’s treble-winning campaign in 2017.

In his first season with Toronto in 2015, Zavaleta tallied his first career MLS goal and made 18 regular-season appearances (11 starts) in 1,054 minutes played. In 2014 with Chivas USA, while on loan from Seattle Sounders FC, Zavaleta made 17 appearances (15 starts) in 1,323 minutes played for the defunct franchise. After being drafted by Seattle with the 10th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Zavaleta played in five games off the bench for Sounders FC during the 2013 campaign. 

“Eriq has a wealth of experience in MLS and signing him provides important depth to our roster,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski.

In his two seasons at Indiana University (2011-12), Zavaleta tallied 28 goals and nine assists in 46 games played (46 starts) as a forward. During his time as a Hoosier, Zavaleta won the NCAA College Cup in 2012, was named an NSCAA Third-Team All American in 2012 and was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection (2011, 2012).

At the international level, Zavaleta has tallied one goal in 15 games played (15 starts) for the El Salvador Men’s National Team since starting and making his debut in a 7-0 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands in World Cup Qualifying on June 5, 2021. In his most recent appearance for El Salvador, Zavaleta started and played 90 minutes in a World Cup Qualifier against Canada on Feb. 3, 2022. 

Transaction: LA Galaxy sign free agent defender Eriq Zavaleta to a one-year contract through the end of the 2022 MLS regular season plus a club option for 2023 on March 10, 2022.

Eriq Zavaleta
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Date Of Birth: Aug. 2, 1992
Age: 29
Birthplace: Westfield, Ind.
Last Club: Toronto FC
Citizenship: El Salvador / USA
Acquired: Signed to a one-year contract through the end of the 2022 MLS regular season plus a club option for 2023 on March 10, 2022.