Major League Soccer announced today that LA Galaxy forward Javier “Chicharito”Hernández and defender Julián Araujo were named to the 26-man roster for the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. It marks the second consecutive season in which Araujo and Chicharito were named to the MLS All-Star roster.
In 18 games played (17 starts) in league play this season, Chicharito ranks first on the Galaxy with seven goals scored in 1,480 minutes played. Across three seasons with the Galaxy, Chicharito has tallied 26 goals and three assists in 51 regular-season appearances (44 starts). Internationally, Hernandez is Mexico’s all-time leading goal scorer (52) in 109 games played (83 starts). Chicharito was selected by Minnesota United FC head coach Adrian Head for the MLS All-Star roster.
During the 2022 campaign, Araujo has tallied four assists in 17 games played (16 starts). In four seasons with LA since signing from the club’s academy in 2019, Araujo has registered one goal and 15 assists in 84 regular-season appearances (75 starts) for the Galaxy. At the international level, Araujo has made three appearances (2 starts) for the Mexican National Team since making his debut on Dec. 8, 2021. The Lompoc, Calif., native was a fan selection for the MLS All-Star roster.
For the second consecutive season, the MLS All-Stars will take on the best of LIGA MX on August 10 at 5:30 p.m. PT at Allianz Field in Minnesota and will be broadcast live on ESPN and Univision. The roster was selected through a combination of fan, player, and media voting (12 players), designations by All-Star head coach Adrian Heath of host club Minnesota United FC (12 players), and a pair of selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
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.
Uruguayan midfielder Gastón Brugman acquired by the LA Galaxy
Uruguayan midfielder acquired via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio 1913 and signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season with a club option for 2026
The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Uruguayan midfielder Gastón Brugman via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio. Brugman will be signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season with a club option for 2026 pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
“We are pleased to welcome Gastón to the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “Gastón is an excellent player and focused professional. He will add balance, experience and leadership to our midfield.”
Greg on Gaston
Brugman, 29, has tallied 26 goals and 31 assists in 303 career games played (248 starts) across all competitions for Empoli F.C. (2010-12), Delfino Pescara 1936 (2012-20), US Grosseto 1912 (2013), Palermo FC (2015-16), Parma Calcio 1913 (2019-22) and Real Oviedo (2021-22). The midfielder tallied three goals and six assists in 34 games played (30 starts) across all competitions on loan with LaLiga2 side Real Oviedo during the 2021-22 campaign.
“We have been tracking Gastón for the past few years and he fits a specific need in our midfield and how we play,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski. “This is a significant addition to our team as we continue to move forward.”
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Gastón Brugman from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio 1913 and sign the midfielder to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season plus a club option for 2026 on July 6, 2022.
Gastón Brugman
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 185
Date Of Birth: Sept. 7, 1992
Age: 29
Birthplace: Rosario, Uruguay
Last Club: Parma Calcio 1913 (Italy)
Citizenship: Uruguay
Acquired: Acquired via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio on July 6, 2022.
LA Galaxy Earn 4-0 Shutout Win Over CF Montréal
Playing on July 4, the LA Galaxy earned a 4-0 shutout victory over CF Montréal in front of 23,855 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night. Rayan Raveloson tallied two goals and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández scored the game-winning goal, while Julián Araujo notched two assists in the win over Montreal.
Goals Around The Galaxy
Chicharito and Dejan Joveljić each tallied goals in the win over Montreal. Chicharito notched his team-leading seventh goal in league play this season. Joveljić has tallied at least one goal in four consecutive league appearances, recording five goals and two assists dating back to May 29. Amongst players that have played a minimum of 350 minutes, Joveljić leads MLS with 1.50 goals scored per 90 minutes played. Raveloson recorded the first multi-goal performance of his career in the victory against Montreal. Raveloson scored his first goal in league play dating back to Aug. 17, 2021, a span of 28 matches.
LA Galaxy Against CF Montréal
The July 4th match between LA and Montréal marked the eighth all-time meeting between the two clubs, with the Galaxy leading the series 5-1-3. In five matches played against Montreal at home dating back to Oct. 16, 2013, LA holds an unbeaten record of 4-0-1, outscoring CF Montréal 9-1 during that span.
Postgame Notes
Monday’s match marked the 26th MLS regular-season match held on July 4 at home for the Galaxy, with LA holding a 14-7-5 record on games played on Independence Day.
This season, the Galaxy are 6-0-0 across all competitions against the top six teams in the Supporters’ Shield race, with a win over NYCFC on Feb. 27, victories over Austin FC on May 8 and May 29, wins against LAFC on April 9 and May 25 and the win over CF Montréal on July 4.
The July 4th match between LA and Montréal marked the ninth all-time meeting between the two clubs, with the Galaxy leading the series 5-1-3.
Following the win over Montreal, LA (8-6-3, 27 points) moved up to eighth place in the Supporters’ Shield race.
In 13 matches played at home across all competitions in 2022, LA holds a 7-5-1 record.
LA improved to 7-1-1 when scoring the opening goal of a match during the 2022 campaign.
LA equaled a season-high with four goals scored in the victory against Montreal.
Rayan Raveloson registered the first two-goal performance in his career for the Galaxy.
Chicharito tallied his team-leading seventh goal scored in league play during the 2022 campaign.
No player in MLS has scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches since the start of last season than Chicharito (7).
Across all competitions this season, Dejan Joveljić leads the Galaxy with nine goals scored and has added two assists in 603 minutes played in 19 appearances (5 starts).
Julián Araujo notched his fourth career two-assist performance in league play for LA.
Jonathan Bond tallied three saves and recorded his sixth shutout of the 2022 campaign.
Sacha Kljestan tallied his 99th career assist in his 321st MLS regular-season appearance.
Kljestan, who made his first appearance since May 18, has tallied one goal and two assists in his last three games played dating back to May 14.
Daniel Aguirre recorded an assist for a consecutive match.
Efraín Álvarez tallied his second assist of the season.
Samuel Grandsir made his 55th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.
Grandsir registered his sixth assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for LA this year.
Next Game
Up next, the Galaxy travel to face LAFC in the 15th edition of El Tráfico across all competitions at Banc of California Stadium on Friday, July 8. The July 8 match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on ESPN.