LA Galaxy earn 5-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Playing their 13th match at home during the 2022 MLS Regular Season, the LA Galaxy earned a 5-2 win at home over Vancouver Whitecaps FC before 21,465 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. Samuel Grandsir tallied two goals, while Julián Araujo registered two assists on his 21st birthday in the victory against the Whitecaps. 

LA Galaxy Players In Form
With an assist in the win over Vancouver, Dejan Joveljić has tallied at least one goal or one assist in seven consecutive matches played at home (8 goals, 3 assists) dating back to May 29. With a goal in victory against the Whitecaps, Efraín Álvarez has tallied one goal and four assists in his last seven appearances dating back to July 4. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied a goal and an assist, including converting a penalty for a second consecutive match. Chicharito has tallied three goals and one assist in his last two matches played dating back to Aug. 6.


Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Samuel Grandsir (Kévin Cabral, Julián Araujo), 12th minute: Kévin Cabral received a long pass down the right side of the of the penalty area. Cabral quickly passed the ball into the center of the penalty area to Samuel Grandsir, who blasted his shot into 

LA – Chicharito (Penalty Kick), 20th minute: After Vancouver was whistled for a handball inside the box, Chicharito stepped up to the spot and chipped Whitecaps goalkeeper Cody Cropper to convert a penalty kick-goal for a second consecutive match.   

LA – Víctor Vázquez (Chicharito), 30th minute: Julián Araujo won the ball off a Vancouver player on the right touchline and picked out Víctor Vázquez at the top of the box. Vázquez played a one-two pass with Chicharito, before curling his right-footed shot into the bottom far corner of the goal. 

VAN – Ryan Gauld (Cody Cropper), 38th minute: Ryan Gauld received a long pass from Cody Cropper and fired his shot from just inside the 18-yard box into the back of the net.  

LA – Samuel Grandsir (Julián Araujo, Mark Delgado), 40th minute: Mark Delgado’s long pass released Julián Araujo down the right wing. Araujo delivered a pass to the top of the box to Grandsir, who took a touch and drilled his right-footed shot in off the far post to score his second goal of the night. 

VAN – Toisant Ricketts (Cristian Dajome), 70th minute: Cristian Dajome dribbled towards the endline and cut a pass back to Toisant Ricketts, whose shot from close range was converted at the near post. 

LA – Efraín Álvarez (Dejan Joveljić, Daniel Aguirre), 89th minute: After picking up the ball down the left flank, Dejan Joveljić dribbled past a defender down the left side of the penalty area. The Serbian international cut a pass back to Efraín Álvarez, whose first-time shot from the top of the six-yard box was lifted over Cody Cropper. 

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over Vancouver, the LA Galaxy (10-11-3, 33 points) moved into sixth place in the Western Conference standings, two points behind fourth-place Minnesota United FC (10-9-5, 35 points).

  • Saturday’s match marked the 30th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with LA leading the series 15-9-6.

  • The Galaxy improved to 10-4-2 in 16 matches played at home against Vancouver in league play, outscoring the Whitecaps 28-11 in matches played at home.

  • LA improved to 9-1-1 this season when scoring the first goal of the match. The Galaxy are 6-0-0 when scoring the first goal of a match at home in league play this season.

  • The Galaxy scored five goals in an MLS regular-season match for the first time since a 5-2 win over Real Salt Lake at home on April 23, 2016.

  • Samuel Grandsir recorded his first career brace in the win over the Whitecaps.

  • In his 96th career appearance across all competitions for the Galaxy, Julián Araujo registered the fifth two-assist performance in his career in the win over Vancouver.

  • Araujo’s six assists ranks tied for first on the team with Raheem Edwards.

  • With his penalty-kick goal, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández moved into a tie with Alan Gordon for 10th place all-time in Galaxy history in goals scored.

  • Chicharito registered a goal and an assist in a single match for the second time in his career for the Galaxy, and the first time since May 8, 2021.

  • Dejan Joveljić has tallied at least one goal or one assist in seven consecutive matches played at home (8 goals, 3 assists) dating back to May 29.

  • Chicharito tallied a goal and an assist for the second time as a member of the Galaxy.

  • Chicharito tallied his team-leading 10th goal during the 2022 MLS Regular Season.

  • Efraín Álvarez registered his third goal of the season. Álvarez has tallied one goal and four assists in his last seven appearances dating back to July 4.

  • Kévin Cabral tallied his second assist of the season in the win over Vancouver. In his last six appearances dating back to July 13, Cabral has tallied one goal and two assists.

  • In his first match played since July 16, Daniel Aguirre tallied an assist in four minutes played off the bench.

  • Mark Delgado recorded his first assist as a member of the Galaxy, and his first in league play since assisting for Toronto FC against Minnesota United FC on Sept. 29, 2021.

LA Galaxy (10-11-3, 33pts) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8-11-6, 30pts)
Aug. 13, 2022 – Dignity Health Sports Park (Los Angeles)

Goals by Half                            1          2          F
LA Galaxy                                 4          1          5
Vancouver Whitecaps FC          1          1          2

Scoring Summary:
 
LA: Grandsir (Cabral, Araujo), 12
LA: Chicharito (penalty kick), 20
LA: Vázquez (Chicharito), 30
VAN: Gauld (Cropper), 38
LA: Grandsir (Araujo, Delgado), 40
VAN: Ricketts (Dajome), 70
LA: Álvarez (Joveljić, Aguirre), 89

Misconduct Summary:
LA: Coulibaly (caution), 59
LA: Araujo (caution), 63
LA: Veselinovic (caution), 68
LA: Edwards (caution), 71
VAN: Dajome (caution), 72
VAN: Dajome (second caution, ejection), 79
LA: DePuy (caution), 90+3

Lineups:
LA: GK Jonathan Bond; D Julián Araujo, D Séga Coulibaly, D Nick DePuy, D Raheem Edwards; M Gastón Brugman (Sacha Kljestan, 74), M Mark Delgado, M Kévin Cabral (Daniel Aguirre, 86), M Víctor Vázquez (Efraín Álvarez, 69), M Samuel Grandsir (Douglas Costa, 69), F Javier “Chicharito” Hernández © (Dejan Joveljić, 69)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Jonathan Klinsmann; D Chase Gasper, D Kelvin Leerdam, D Eriq Zavaleta

TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Four players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Samuel Grandsir, 2); FOULS: 12 (Three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 2

VAN: GK Cody Cropper; D Rank Veselinovic, D Javain Brown, D Jake Nerwinski (Tristan Blackmon, 46), M Julian Gressel (Alessandro Schopf, 69), M Andres Cubas (Marcus Godinho, 83), M Ryan Gauld, M Ryan Raposo, M Russell Teibert, M Easton Ongaro (Tosaint Ricketts, 46), M Pedro Vite (Cristian Dajome, 46)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Thomas Hasal, D Florian Jungwirth; M Sebastian Berhalter, M Leonard Owusu

TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Ryan Gauld, Tosaint Ricketts, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Ryan Gauld, Toisant Ricketts, 2); FOULS: 13 (Three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 2

Referee: Michael Radchuk

Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, CJ Morgante

Fourth Official: Joe Dickerson

VAR: Geoff Gamble
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees
Attendance: 21,465

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial


Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to Seattle Sounders FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday, Aug. 19. The Aug. 19 match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Greg Vanney spoke during a media availability today, Thursday, Aug. 11, as the team prepares for a home match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Saturday’s match marks the 30th all-time meeting across all competitions between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with the LA leading the series 14-9-6. In 28 regular-season meetings against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold a 13-9-6 record. In the most recent matchup, Kévin Cabral tallied a goal in LA’s 1-1 draw against the Whitecaps at Dignity Health Sports Park on Aug. 8, 2021.

LA Galaxy fall 4-2 on the road to Sporting Kansas City

Playing their 11th match on the road during the 2022 MLS Regular Season, the LA Galaxy fell 4-2 on the road to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night.


Goal-Scoring Plays
SKC – Erik Thommy (Roger Espinoza, Daniel Salloi), 10th minute: Erik Thommy chested down Roger Espinoza’s pass into the penalty area and volleyed his shot into the far corner of the goal.  

SKC – William Agada, 40th minute: After initially having his shot from point-blank-range saved by Jonathan Bond, William Agada was first to the rebound and fired a shot that crossed the goal line.   

SKC – William Agada, 45+5th minute: Daniel Salloi latched onto a pass down the right wing and delivered a cross towards the back post to Agada, who converted from close range.   

LA – Chicharito (Efraín Álvarez), 83rd minute: Cutting inside from the left wing, Efraín Álvarez slipped a pass behind the Sporting defense to Chicharito, who quickly turned and fired his shot from just outside the six-yard box through the legs of John Pulskamp for his first goal scored in league play dating back to July 4. 

LA – Chicharito (Penalty Kick), 90+2nd minute: After Sporting KC was whistled for a penalty, Chicharito stepped up to the spot and powered his shot past Pulskamp. 

SKC – Daniel Salloi, 90+5th minute: After intercepting a pass inside the penalty area, Daniel Salloi’s curling effort from the left side of the penalty was tucked into the far corner of the goal. 

Postgame Notes

  • Following the loss to Sporting KC, the LA Galaxy (9-11-3, 30 points) fell to ninth place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind the seventh place Portland Timbers (7-6-12, 33 points).

  • Saturday’s match marked the 66th MLS regular-season meeting between the Galaxy and Sporting KC, with the all-time series tied 26-26-15.

  • LA has scored multiple goals in the second half in six of their last 10 matches played dating back to May 29.

  • The two-goal performance from Chicharito marked his first brace for the club dating back to a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers on April 3, 2022.

  • Chicharito’s six career braces ranks tied for sixth-most in LA Galaxy regular-season history.

  • With nine goals scored in league play this year, Chicharito is tied with Dejan Joveljić for the most goals scored on the team.

  • It marked the third time this season when Chicharito and Joveljić have started in the same match.

  • Efraín Álvarez notched his fifth assist in league play in the loss to Sporting KC.

  • Julián Araujo played 45 minutes as a second-half substitute in his 95th career appearance (84 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy.

  • Adam Saldaña made his first appearance for the Galaxy in regular-season play dating back to Oct. 21, 2021, logging nine minutes off the bench.

  • Three LA Galaxy Academy graduates appeared in the match against Sporting KC, with Álvarez, Araujo and Saldaña all appearing as second-half substitutes.

  • Kévin Cabral appeared in his 50th career regular-season match with the Galaxy in the match against SKC.

  • Mark Delgado finished the match with a team-high four tackles won.


Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Aug. 13. The Aug. 13 match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a regional television broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet.  

LA Galaxy earn 2-0 win over Club Deportivo Guadalajara in Leagues Cup Showcase at SoFi Stadium

Playing in the first-ever soccer match at SoFi Stadium, the LA Galaxy earned a 2-0 win over Liga MX side Club Deportivo Guadalajara before a sell-out crowd of 71,189 fans for the Leagues Cup Showcase on Wednesday night. Dejan Joveljić and Jonathan Pérez each tallied goals, while Jonathan Klinsmann notched four saves and a shutout in the win over Chivas.  


Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Dejan Joveljić (Efraín Álvarez), 28th minute: Following Efraín Álvarez’s corner kick delivery into the six-yard box, Dejan Joveljić’s left-footed volley found the roof of the net. The conversion by Joveljić marked the first-ever goal scored in a soccer match at SoFi Stadium. 

LA – Jonathan Pérez (Samuel Grandsir), 62nd minute: Winning the ball in midfield, Samuel Grandsir dribbled by his defender and found Jonathan Pérez in space outside the 18-yard box. Pérez took a touch and fired his left-footed strike just inside the post. 

Postgame Notes

  • Wednesday’s match marked the fourth all-time meeting between the LA Galaxy and Liga MX side Club Deportivo Guadalajara, with the Galaxy leading the series 2-1-1.

  • The LA Galaxy are the only team to have played in all major outdoor venues in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park, Banc of California Stadium, Rose Bowl Stadium and LA Memorial Coliseum).

  • Additionally, the Galaxy are the only team to win at five of the above venues.

  • Dejan Joveljić scored the first-ever goal in a soccer match at SoFi Stadium in the win over Chivas.

  • Jonathan Pérez tallied his first career goal for the Galaxy.

  • In 90 minutes of action, Jonathan Klinsmann registered four saves and a shutout against Chivas.

  • Efraín Álvarez registered an assist in 45 minutes of action against Guadalajara.

  • In 45 minutes of action, Samuel Grandsir notched an assist.

  • In his first appearance for the Galaxy since fracturing his ankle in the offseason, Adam Saldaña played 65 minutes off the bench against Chivas.

LA Galaxy Acquire Midfielder Riqui Puig From FC Barcelona

Spanish midfielder signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season

The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Spanish midfielderRiqui Puig using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) via transfer from La Liga side FC Barcelona. Puig will be signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.

“We are pleased to welcome Riqui to the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “Riqui is a very technical and well-educated player with incredible experiences for his age. He will fit seamlessly into our group and style of play.”

Puig, 22, tallied two goals and three assists in 57 appearances (15 starts) across all competitions with FC Barcelona (2018-22). Puig notched one goal in 15 games played (2 starts) for Barcelona during the 2021-22 La Liga campaign. 

“Riqui is a very talented player with a unique profile that brings something different to our squad,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski.

In his debut for Barcelona, the Matadepera, Spain, native tallied an assist off the bench in a 4-1 win over Cultural Leonesa in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey on Dec. 5, 2018. Before making his debut for the first team, Puig tallied two goals and 10 assists in 56 appearances for Barcelona B. During his time at Barcelona, Puig won the 2018-19 La Liga title and the 2020-21 Copa del Rey. Additionally, Puig helped Barcelona claim the 2017-18 UEFA Youth League title, with the midfielder tallying three goals and three assists in 10 games played (10 starts) in the competition. 

Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Riqui Puig from Spanish La Liga side FC Barcelona and sign the midfielder to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season on Aug. 4, 2022.

Riqui Puig
Pronunciation: rick-EE poojsh
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-5
Weight: 150
Date Of Birth: Aug. 13, 1999
Age: 22
Birthplace: Matadepera, Spain
Last Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
Citizenship: Spain
Acquired: Acquired via transfer from La Liga side FC Barcelona on Aug. 4, 2022.