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LA Galaxy Advance to Western Conference Semifinals of 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs with 1-0 Shutout Win Over Nashville SC

Playing their first home playoff match in six years, the LA Galaxy earned a 1-0 shutout win over Nashville SC in Round One of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs in front of 22,280 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday afternoon. Julián Araujo tallied the game-winning goal, while Jonathan Bond tallied five saves and a shutout as LA advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to square off against LAFC in the 17th edition across all competitions of El Tráfico at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 20 (7:00 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes).

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over Nashville SC, the LA Galaxy advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to square off against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium in the 17th edition of El Tráfico on Thursday, Oct. 20.

  • In three all-time matches played between LA and Nashville SC across all competitions, the Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 2-0-1.

  • LA improved to 11-6-4 record in 21 games played at home across all competitions during the 2022 campaign.

  • In the Galaxy’s last seven matches played at home across all competitions dating back to July 24, LA holds a 4-0-3 record.

  • The Galaxy improved to 15-1-4 across all competitions this season when scoring the first goal of the match.

  • The shutout marked the Galaxy’s first clean sheet across all competitions dating back to a 2-0 win over Atlanta on July 24.

  • Julián Araujo tallied his second career goal in 107 games played across all competitions for the Galaxy in the win over Nashville.

  • Jonathan Bond tallied five saves and his eighth shutout across all competitions in the win over Nashville SC.

  • In his last three matches played across all competitions dating back to Oct. 1, Douglas Costa has tallied one goal and two assists.

  • Samuel Grandsir tallied an assist for a second consecutive match across all competitions in the victory over Nashville.

  • Martín Cáceres finished the match with a game-high six clearances, eight possessions won and 48 of 50 passes completed (96% pass accuracy).

  • Séga Coulibaly finished the game with a team-high seven duels won and three tackles won and 52 of 56 passes completed (93% pass accuracy).

  • Gastón Brugman recorded a game-high four interceptions, eight possessions won and a team-high two chances created.

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy travel to face LAFC in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 20. The match on Oct. 20 kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

LA Galaxy Earn 3-1 Win on the Road over Houston Dynamo FC

Ahead of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, the LA Galaxy clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference following a 3-1 win on the road over Houston Dynamo FC at PNC Stadium in the 2022 MLS Regular Season finale on Sunday evening. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied his team-leading 18th goal of the season, while Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljić both found the back of the net in the Galaxy’s first win on Decision Day dating back to Oct. 28, 2012.

2022 MLS Cup Playoffs
Following the win over Houston, the LA Galaxy (14-12-8, 50 points) secured the fourth seed and a First Round match against Nashville SC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15 (12:00 p.m. PT; UniMás and TUDN). The Galaxy have qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 20th time in the club’s 27 years in MLS. Since the start of the 2009 season, the Galaxy have hosted 18 playoff matches in Carson, including MLS Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014. In those 18 home playoff matches at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy are 15-2-1, while holding a 45-23-7 record in 75 all-time playoff matches.

LA Galaxy In Form At The Right Time
The Galaxy have lost only once in their last 11 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, holding a record of 5-1-and outscoring the opposition 26-19 during that span. Since Aug. 13, the Galaxy’s 5-1-5 record (20 points) ranks as the best in the Western Conference and ranks third in the league behind only CF Montreal (8-1-1, 24 points) and the Philadelphia Union (7-2-1, 22 points. In the Galaxy’s last six matches played on the road dating back to Aug. 28, LA holds a 3-1-2 record.

LA Galaxy’s 2022 MLS Regular-Season Recap
Chicharito led the team and finished the season ranked tied for fourth in MLS with 18 goals scored in 32 games played (31 starts) for the Galaxy in league play. Julián Araujo ranked second in the league amongst all defenders and led the Galaxy with nine assists in 33 appearances (30 starts) this season. Joveljić led the league with eight goals scored and 10 goal contributions ( 8 goals, 2 assists) as a substitute this year. As a team, the Galaxy finished the season with the sixth-most goals scored (58) during the 2022 MLS Regular Season.

Goal-Scoring Plays
HOU – Sebastian Ferreira (Corey Baird), 8th minute: Corey Baird’s cross into the box found Sebastian Ferreira, who headed the ball into the far corner of the net.

LA – Riqui Puig (Samuel Grandsir, Douglas Costa), 31st minute: Douglas Costa quickly played the ball wide to Samuel Grandsir on the left side of the penalty area. Grandsir’s centering pass in the middle of the box found Riqui Puig, who blasted his shot into the roof of the net.

LA – Chicharito (Gastón Brugman), 32nd minute: In transition, Gastón Brugman slipped a pass behind the Houston defense to Chicharito, whose outside-the-foot shot from inside the penalty area was converted at the far net.

LA – Dejan Joveljić (Efraín Álvarez), 69th minute: Efraín Álvarez’s pass in behind the Houston backline found Dejan Joveljić, who rifled his shot just inside the far post.

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over Houston, the LA Galaxy (14-12-8, 50 points) secured the fourth seed and a First Round match against Nashville SC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15 (12:00 p.m. PT, UniMás and TUDN). The playoff berth marked the Galaxy’s 20th playoff berth in the 27 years of the club’s history.

  • Sunday’s Decision Day match marked the 40th all-time meeting across all competitions between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC, with LA leading the series 17-13-10. Against Houston, the Galaxy hold a 13-13-10 record in league play, a 1-0-0 record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and a 3-0-0 record in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

  • In 27 all-time regular-season finales played, the LA Galaxy improved to 11-11-5 record.

  • The victory over Houston marked the Galaxy’s first win in an MLS Regular-Season finale dating back to a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at home on Oct. 28, 2012.

  • LA improved to 7-7-4 record in 18 road matches played across all competitions during the 2022 campaign.

  • In the Galaxy’s last six matches played on the road dating back to Aug. 28, LA holds a 3-1-2 record.

  • The Galaxy improved to 2-11-3 this season when the opponent scores the first goal of the match.

  • LA improved to 10-0-3 when leading at halftime in league play this season.

  • Notably, Chicharito ranked tied for second in the league in scored on the road (9) behind only the San Jose Earthquake’s Jeremy Ebobisse (11) during the 2022 campaign.

  • Chicharito’s 15 goals scored from open play finished tied for second in the league behind only FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez (16).

  • Julián Araujo ranked second in the league amongst all defenders and led the Galaxy with nine assists in 33 appearances (30 starts) this season.

  • At 21 years, 1 month and 26 days old, Araujo became the youngest player in LA Galaxy history, and the 31st player overall in club history, to appear in 100 regular-season matches. Araujo has tallied one goal and 20 assists in 100 career regular-season appearances (89 starts) for the Galaxy.

  • Dejan Joveljić led the league with eight goals scored and 10 goal contributions (8 goals, 2 assists) as a substitute this year.

  • Notably, amongst all players that have played a minimum of 950 minutes this season, Joveljić led the league with 1.01 goals scored per 90 minutes played.

  • Riqui Puig leads MLS in passes completed (622), successful passes entering the final third (212) and ranks tied for first in MLS in assists (5) and has scored three goals dating back to his first start in league play on Aug. 28.

  • Jonathan Bond became the eighth player in team history to appear in all 34 MLS regular-season matches for the Galaxy, finishing the season with seven shutouts and 90 saves.

  • Gastón Brugman recorded his first career assist in the win for the Galaxy and finished the match with 88 of 94 completed passes (94% pass accuracy) and led the club with two interceptions, 12 duels won, nine possessions won and four chances created.

  • Douglas Costa recorded his second assist of the year.

  • Efraín Álvarez tallied an assist and finished the season ranked second on the team with seven assists in 28 games played (13 starts).

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to Nashville SC in Round One of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 15. The match on Oct. 15 kicks off at 12:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on UniMás and TUDN.

LA Galaxy clinch 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth with 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake

The LA Galaxy clinched a berth in the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs following a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in front of a sell-out crowd of 26,674 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night.

2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Clinched
Following the draw against Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy (13-12-8, 47 points) moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind third-place FC Dallas (13-9-11, 50 points). The Galaxy have qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 20th time in the club’s 27 years in MLS. Since the start of the 2009 season, the Galaxy have hosted 18 playoff matches in Carson, including MLS Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014. In those 18 home playoff matches at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy are 15-2-1, while holding a 45-23-7 record in 75 all-time playoff matches.

LA Galaxy Run Of Form
In their last 10 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the LA Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-5, outscoring the opposition 23-18 during that span. Since Aug. 13, the Galaxy’s 4-1-5 record (17 points) ranks as the best in the Western Conference and ranks third in the league behind only the Philadelphia Union (6-2-1, 19 points) and CF Montreal (7-1-1, 22 points). In the Galaxy’s last six matches played at home dating back to July 24, LA held an unbeaten record of 3-0-3.

LA Galaxy Against Real Salt Lake
Saturday’s match marked the 45th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, with LA leading the all-time series 23-19-13. Against RSL, the Galaxy hold a 19-17-11 record in league play, a 4-1-2 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs and a 0-1-10 record Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last six matches played at home (4-0-2) against Real Salt Lake, dating back to Sept. 30, 2017.

Goal-Scoring Plays
RSL – Sergio Cordova (Aaron Herrera, Andrew Brody), 25th minute: Aaron Herrera’s cross from the right side of the penalty area found Sergio Cordova, who converted his header from close range.

LA – Douglas Costa (Penalty Kick), 68th minute: After Chicharito was fouled inside the box, Douglas Costa’s ensuing penalty-kick attempt was smashed into the top right corner.

Postgame Notes

  • Following the draw against Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy (13-12-8, 47 points) moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, one point behind third-place FC Dallas (13-9-11, 50 points) and qualified for the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

  • The playoff berth marked the Galaxy’s 20th playoff berth in the 27 years of the club’s history.

  • Saturday’s match marked the 45th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, with LA leading the all-time series 23-19-13. Against RSL, the Galaxy hold a 19-17-11 record in league play, a 4-1-2 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs and a 0-1-10 record Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

  • The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last six matches played at home (4-0-2) against Real Salt Lake, dating back to Sept. 30, 2017.

  • In 17 games played at home in league play this season, the Galaxy held a 8-5-4 record and averaged 22,841 fans per game at Dignity Health Sports Park.

  • Across all competitions at Dignity Health Sports Park during the 2022 campaign, LA held a 10-6-4 record.

  • In their last 10 matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 4-1-5, outscoring the opposition 23-18 during that span.

  • Douglas Costa notched his fourth goal of the 2022 campaign.

  • Riqui Puig finished the match with a game-high 10 duels won, five dribbles completed, three chances created and four interceptions.

  • Julián Araujo appeared in his 99th MLS regular-season appearance for the LA Galaxy, a team-high eight possessions won.

  • Jonathan Bond finished the match with four saves.

  • Martín Cáceres ended the match with 82 completed passes (100% pass accuracy).

LARS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LA Galaxy earn 4-1 win over Colorado Rapids

Playing their third match in the span of seven days, the LA Galaxy earned a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in front of 20,325 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. Gastón Brugman tallied a brace, while Riqui Puig notched three assists in the Galaxy’s first win over the Rapids since 2017.

LA Galaxy Run Of Form
In their last eight matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 3-1-4, outscoring the opposition 19-15 during that span. In the Galaxy’s last five matches played at home dating back to July 24, LA holds an unbeaten record of 3-0-2. Following the win over Colorado, the Galaxy (12-12-7, 43 points) moved up to seventh place in the Western Conference standings, with a game in hand and two points behind sixth-place Portland Timbers (11-8-12, 45 points).

Riqui Puig Contributions
In his first five starts with the Galaxy dating back to Aug. 28, Riqui Puig has tallied two goals and five assists. Notably, Puig’s three assists against Colorado were the first time a Galaxy player recorded three assists in a match since Landon Donovan did it in September of 2014. Since Aug. 28, Puig leads MLS in assists (5) and passes completed (421), and ranks second behind only Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar (7 goals, 2 assists) in goal contributions (2 goals, 5 assists) during that span. 

LA Galaxy Firsts
Brugman recorded his first two goals as a member of the Galaxy in the win over Colorado. Additionally, Martín Cáceres registered his first assist with LA in the win over the Rapids. Notably, Raheem Edwards, who tallied his first career goal for the Galaxy, recorded his first goal in league play since scoring for Chicago Fire FC on March 16, 2019.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Gastón Brugman (Samuel Grandsir, Riqui Puig), 22nd minute: Samuel Grandsir delivered an outside the boot pass behind the Colorado defense that released Gastón Brugman down the right side of the penalty area. Brugman took a touch before sending his low shot past Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough.

LA – Raheem Edwards (Martín Cáceres), 28th minute: Raheem Edwards dribbled down the right flank and cut inside on his right foot. Edwards faked a shot inside the penalty area before rifling his right-footed shot into the top right corner of the net.

LA – Chicharito (Julián Araujo, Riqui Puig), 31st minute: In transition, Riqui Puig switched the field of play to Julián Araujo down the right flank. Araujo dribbled toward the end line and fired a low cross to Chicharito, whose back-heeled shot beat Yarbrough.

LA – Gastón Brugman (Riqui Puig), 52nd minute: Gastón Brugman received the ball from Riqui Puig, dribbled toward the top of the 18-yard box and curled his shot into the top right corner.

COL – Sam Nicholson, 90+1st minute: The ball fell to Sam Nicholson inside the box and his half-volleyed shot from just outside the six-yard box found the lower far corner of the goal.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW

Postgame Notes

  • Saturday’s match marked the 91st all-time meeting across all competitions between the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 46-33-12.

  • LA improved to 25-10-6 in 41 all-time regular-season matches played at home against Colorado.

  • Following the win over Colorado, the Galaxy (12-12-7, 43 points) moved up to seventh place in the Western Conference standings, with a game in hand and two points behind sixth-place Portland Timbers (11-8-12, 45 points).

  • The Galaxy improved to 10-6-3 in 19 matches played at home across all competitions this season.

  • LA improved to 11-1-4 this season when scoring the first goal of the match.

  • In their last eight matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 3-1-4, outscoring the opposition 19-15 during that span. 

  • In the Galaxy’s last five matches played at home dating back to July 24, LA holds an unbeaten record of 3-0-2.

  • The victory marked LA’s first win over the Rapids since a 3-0 win over Colorado on Sept. 2, 2017.

  • This marks the fourth time this season the Galaxy have scored four goals or more in a match this season.

  • Gastón Brugman recorded his first career goals for the Galaxy with his brace against the Rapids.

  • Riqui Puig tallied three assists in the win against the Rapids. Puig’s three assists against Colorado were the first time a Galaxy player recorded three assists in a match since Landon Donovan did it in September of 2014

  • Chicharito registered his 15th goal in league play for the Galaxy this year.

  • In his last nine MLS regular-season matches played dating back to Aug. 6, only Hany Mukhtar has tallied more goals (11) than Chicharito (8). 

  • Chicharito moved into a tie for eighth place with Gyasi Zardes on the Galaxy’s all-time regular-season goal-scoring list.

  • Raheem Edwards tallied his first goal in league play since scoring for Chicago Fire FC against Seattle Sounders FC on March 16, 2019. 

  • Julián Araujo tallied his eighth assist of the season, a new career-high, in the win over Colorado.

  • Samuel Grandsir notched his fourth assist of the 2022 campaign.

  • Martín Cáceres registered his first assist with LA in the win over the Rapids.

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy travel to face the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24. The match on Sept. 24 kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a regional television broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet and a stream on LAGalaxy.com.

LA Galaxy battle Sporting Kansas City to 2-2 draw

Playing their third game in the span of seven days, the LA Galaxy battled Sporting Kansas City to a 2-2 draw in front of 20,104 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday night. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied a brace as the Galaxy extended their unbeaten run to five games.

REPLAY / SOCIAL / PODCAST

Listen in to David, Luis, and Bobby rewind back to recap LA's match against Toronto. Penalties, bad sweeps, and golazo's are covered in that match. Then the guys turn their opinions and frustrations on LA's latest home match against the low seed SKC. Chicharito's bittersweet evening, more penalties, last dying chances, and the most embarrassing panenka seen around the world.

GAME STATISTICS

Galaxy Run Of Form
In their last five matches played dating back to Aug. 13, the Galaxy hold a record of 2-0-3, outscoring the opposition 14-10 during that span. After scoring one first-half goal in six games played from July 8 – Aug. 6, LA has scored 11 first-half goals during its five-game unbeaten run. In his last six games played dating back to Aug. 6, Chicharito has tallied seven goals and two assists. Additionally, Chicharito has scored in three straight games played at Dignity Health Sports Park dating back to Aug. 13.

Chicharito Records 200 Club Goals
With his first-half goal scored against Sporting Kansas City, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied his 200th career goal in club competitions. In 62 games played (53 starts) across all competitions with the Galaxy, Chicharito has tallied 34 goals and five assists. 

Julián Araujo Joins 100 Club
Julián Araujo (21 years, 22 days) became the youngest player in LA Galaxy history to appear in 100 matches (89 starts) across all competitions for the club, after logging 85 minutes in the against Sporting KC. In four seasons (2019-Present) with the Galaxy, Araujo has tallied 18 assists and one goal in 100 games played (89 starts) across all competitions.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Chicharito (Víctor Vázquez, Riqui Puig), 4th minute: From just inside his own half, Riqui Puig advanced the ball to Víctor Vázquez in the Galaxy’s attacking third. Vázquez took a touch and slipped a pass in behind the Kansas City backline to Chicharito, whose shot from the right side of the box was powered into the far corner of the goal. 

 

SKC – Johnny Russell (Penalty Kick), 67th minute: After LA was whistled for a handball inside the box, Johnny Russell’s penalty-kick attempt was parried off the post LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and into the back of the net. 

SKC – Felipe Hernandez (William Agada), 76th minute: Cutting in from the left wing, Felipe Hernandez’s shot was deflected off the knee of a Galaxy defender and into the top corner of the goal. 

LA – Chicharito (Penalty Kick), 88th minute: After Kévin Cabral was fouled inside the penalty area, Chicharito stepped up to the spot and blasted his shot into the top left corner.

POSTGAME COMMENTS

 
 

Postgame Notes

  • Following the draw against Sporting KC, the LA Galaxy remained in eighth place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind the seventh place Portland Timbers (10-8-12, 42 points) with two games in hand.

  • Sunday’s match marked the 67th MLS regular-season meeting between the Galaxy and Sporting KC, with the all-time series tied 26-26-16.

  • In 33 matches played at home in league play against Kansas City, LA holds a 17-8-8 record.

  • The Galaxy extended their unbeaten run to five matches (2-0-3) dating back to Aug. 13, outscoring the opposition 14-10 during that span.

  • In 18 games played across all competitions at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2022, LA holds a 9-6-3 record.

  • In his last six games played dating back to Aug. 6, Chicharito has tallied seven goals and two assists. Additionally, Chicharito has scored in three straight games played at Dignity Health Sports Park dating back to Aug. 13.

  • With his goal scored in the first half against Sporting KC, Chicharito logged his 200th career goal in club competition. (Manchester United: 59 goals, Bayer Leverkusen: 39, LA Galaxy: 34 goals, Deportivo Guadalajara: 29 goals, West Ham United: 17 goals, CD Tapatio: 11 goals, Real Madrid: 9 goals, Sevilla FC: 3 goals)

  • The brace marked Chicharito’s seventh career multi-goal game for the LA Galaxy in league play.

  • In three starts for the Galaxy dating back to Aug. 28, Riqui Puig has tallied one goal and two assists across 270 minutes played.

  • Puig finished the match with 82 completed passes (95% pass accuracy).

  • Víctor Vázquez recorded his third assist for the Galaxy in league play this season.

  • Gastón Brugman finished the match with a team-high seven possessions won and recorded 78 accurate passes (94% pass accuracy).

  • Uruguayan National Team defender Martín Cáceres made his LA Galaxy debut, logging five minutes as a second-half substitute.