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 earn 3-1 road win over the Portland Timbers

Playing their fifth match of the 2022 MLS regular season, the LA Galaxy earned a 3-1 win on the road against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández registered a brace, while Raheem Edwards, Samuel Grandsir and Rayan Raveloson each tallied assists in the win over Portland.

LA Galaxy Against Portland
Sunday’s match marked the 30th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Portland, with the Galaxy leading the series 13-11-6. The Galaxy have won three consecutive matches against Portland dating back to a 4-1 win on July 30, 2021, outscoring Portland 9-3 during that span.

Chicharito in Goal-Scoring Form
After tallying two goals in the win against Portland, Chicharito has now registered four goals in five games played during the 2022 campaign. Chicharito registered his fifth career multi-goal performance as a member of the Galaxy. Notably, Chicharito has tallied eight goals in his last eight regular-season matches played, dating back to Oct. 23, 2021. In three games played on the road this season, Chicharito has tallied three goals.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Samuel Grandsir, Rayan Raveloson), 9th minute: Dribbling down the left wing, Grandsir quickly played a one-two pass with Raveloson and evaded his defender. His ensuing cross into the box found Chicharito, who stuck out his right leg and redirected the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

LA – Own Goal (Bill Tuiloma), 17th minute: After knocking the ball past Pablo Bonilla down the left side of the penalty area, Grandsir’s cross into the six-yard box was deflected into the goal by Bill Tuiloma.

POR – Bill Tuiloma, 51st minute: Bill Tuiloma’s free kick from just outside the 18-yard box was curled into the top right corner of the net.

LA – Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Raheem Edwards), 59th minute: Edwards skipped past his marker down the left side of the penalty area and played a pass to the center of the box to Chicharito, who smashed his low shot into the far corner of the net.

Postgame Notes

• Sunday’s match marked the 30th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Portland, with the Galaxy leading the series 13-11-6.

• The Galaxy have won three consecutive matches against Portland dating back to a 4-1 win on July 30, 2021, outscoring Portland 9-3 during that span.

• LA’s two goals in the first 16 minutes against Portland is the second fastest a visiting team has scored twice in an MLS match at Providence Park. The Galaxy scored two in the first 11 minutes at Portland in July 2016.

• The win over Portland marked the LA Galaxy’s 900th MLS match in regular-season (825) and postseason play (75) combined. The Galaxy are the first team in MLS history to play in 900 combined regular-season and postseason matches.

• The victory marked LA’s first win at Providence Park with fans in attendance dating back to July 23, 2016.

• In 14 regular-season matches played at Providence Park, the LA Galaxy hold a 4-7-3 record.

• Following his brace against Portland, Chicharito has now registered four goals during the 2022 campaign.

• Chicharito’s four goals ranks tied for second in MLS this season.

• Chicharito has tallied four career goals in four regular-season games played against the Timbers.

• Raheem Edwards registered his fourth assist of the season, ranking first in the league in that category.

• Samuel Grandsir tallied his first goal during the 2022 MLS Regular Season.

• Grandsir has now played in 39 consecutive matches since making his debut for the Galaxy on April 18, 2021.

• Rayan Raveloson tallied his second assist of the year in the win over Portland.

• Raveloson has now tallied an assist in two consecutive road matches dating back to March 12, 2022.

• Jonathan Bond finished the match with three saves.

• Efraín Álvarez finished the match with a team-high three chances created.

• Kelvin Leerdam made his LA Galaxy debut, starting and playing 90 minutes in the win over Portland.

• Derrick Williams made his first start of the 2022 campaign.

• Daniel Aguirre made his 2022 debut, appearing as a second-half substitute.

Next Game
Up next, the Galaxy play host to LAFC in the 13th edition of El Tráfico at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, April 9. The April 9 match kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on FOX and Fox Deportes. 

The team prepares for a road match against the Portland Timbers on Sunday, April 3

LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney and midfielder Mark Delgado spoke during a media availability today, Thursday, March 31.

Returning from the international break, the LA Galaxy (2-2-0, 6 points) travel to face the Portland Timbers (1-1-3, 6 points) at Providence Park (1:30 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes) on Sunday, April 3. Sunday’s match marks the 30th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Portland, with the Galaxy leading the series 12-11-6. In three matches played between the two teams during the 2021 campaign, the Galaxy held a 2-1-0 record. LA has won two consecutive matches against the Timbers dating back to July 30, 2021, with the Galaxy outscoring Portland 6-2 during that span. Notably, the match against Portland will mark the Galaxy’s 900th MLS match in regular-season (825) and postseason play (75) combined.

Six LA Galaxy Players Called Up for International Duty

Julián Araujo, Marcus Ferkranus, Kelvin Leerdam, Jalen Neal, Jonathan Pérez and Eriq Zavaleta to represent their respective national teams during international window

The LA Galaxy today announced that defenders Julián Araujo (Mexico), Marcus Ferkranus (U-20 USMNT), Kelvin Leerdam (Suriname), Jalen Neal (U-20 USMNT), Eriq Zavaleta (El Salvador) and midfielder Jonathan Pérez (U-20 Mexico) were called up by their respective national teams during the international window. 

Araujo, 20, has made four appearances (4 starts) for the Galaxy during the 2022 campaign. The Lompoc, Calif., native has made two appearances for the Mexico Men’s National Team, most recently appearing as a second-half substitute in Mexico’s 1-0 win over Panama in World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 3, 2022. Mexico continues FIFA World Cup Qualifying by hosting the United States at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, March 24 (7:00 p.m. PT), traveling to face Honduras at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano on Sunday, March 27 (4:05 p.m. PT) and playing host to El Salvador at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, March 30 (6:05 p.m. PT). 

Zavaleta, 29, has tallied one goal in 15 games played (15 starts) for the El Salvador Men’s National Team. In his most recent appearance for El Salvador, Zavaleta started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Canada in World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 3, 2022. El Salvador continues FIFA World Cup Qualifying by traveling to face Jamaica at the National Stadium Independence Park on Thursday, March 24 (4:05 p.m. PT), playing host to Costa Rica at Estadio Cuscatlán on Sunday, March 27 (2:05 p.m. PT) and traveling to Estadio Azteca take on Mexico on Wednesday, March 30 (6:05 p.m. PT). 

Leerdam, 31, has yet to make an appearance for the Galaxy during the 2022 campaign. The Paramaribo, Suriname, native has tallied two assists in seven appearances (7 starts) for the Suriname National Team. In his most recent appearance for Suriname, Leerdam started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe in the 2021 Gold Cup on July 21, 2021. Suriname will square off against Thailand in an international friendly at BG Stadium on Sunday, March 27 (5:00 p.m. PT).

Neal, 18, has made two appearances (2 starts) for LA Galaxy II during the 2022 USL Championship campaign, while Ferkranus, 18, has made one appearance for Los Dos in the USL Championship this year. The U.S. Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team will head to Buenos Aires, Argentina for matches against Argentina on March 26 and Argentine Primera Division club River Plate on March 29. The U-20 USMNT will use the matches in Argentina to prepare for this summer’s Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras, which will serve as qualification to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Perez, 18, tallied one goal and three assists in 17 appearances (14 starts) for LA Galaxy II during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. The U-20 Mexico National Team will travel to Uruguay to face off against Club Atlético Peñarol’s U-20 team on March 26 and then play in matches against the U-20 Uruguay Men’s National Team on March 28 and March 30.