LA Galaxy Starting XI: GK John McCarthy; D Miki Yamane, D Martin Cáceres, D Maya Yoshida ©, D John Nelson; M Diego Fagundez, M Mark Delgado, M Riqui Puig, M Gabriel Pec, M Joseph Paintsil, F Dejan Joveljić
Substitutes: GK Novak Mićović; D Mauricio Cuevas, D Emiro Garces, D Jalen Neal, D Eriq Zavaleta; M Edwin Cerrillo, M Tucker Lepley, F Miguel Berry
Lineup Notes:
- 2022 MLS Cup MVP John McCarthy makes his 21st start in goal for the LA Galaxy in tonight’s match against Minnesota. McCarthy, who made six saves and posted a third consecutive shutout in a 3-0 win on the road over the San Jose Earthquakes on June 29, registered four shutouts in eight matches played during LAFC’s run to the 2022-23 Concacaf Champions League Final, earning Golden Glove honors and being named to the Concacaf Champions League Best XI. In four games played in the month of June, McCarthy held a 0.50 goals-against average, posted three shutouts and logged 16 saves
- Japanese International defender Miki Yamane, who recorded his fifth assist of the 2024 campaign against LAFC on July 4, makes his 22nd appearance (22nd start) during the 2024 campaign against the Loons. Yamane was named to the J1 League Best XI in three consecutive seasons (2020, 2021, 2022), and helped Kawasaki Frontale earn two J1 League titles (2021, 2020), two Emperor’s Cup titles (2020, 2023) and one Japanese Super Cup (2021).
- Uruguayan National Team legend Martin Cáceres makes his 13th appearance (13th start) for LA during the 2024 campaign in the tonight’s match against Minnesota. Cáceres has tallied two goals and one assist in 38 appearances (37 starts) across all competitions in three seasons with the Galaxy (2022 – Present). Notably, Yoshida played in four FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) for the Uruguayan National Team.
- Japanese International defender Maya Yoshida captains the Galaxy in tonight’s match. Yoshida, who has recorded two goals in 22 appearances (22 starts) during the 2024 campaign, has tallied three goals in 34 career regular-season appearances (34 starts) for LA. Notably, Yoshida played in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) for the Japanese National Team.
- John Nelson makes third start (12th appearance) of the 2024 campaign in tonight’s match against Minnesota. The Medina, Ohio, native has recorded four assists in 82 career MLS appearances (48 starts) across six seasons played in the league (2019-24).
- Mark Delgado, who has recorded one goal and six assists in 21 appearances (20 starts) this season, starts in midfield. Notably, Delgado has tallied 22 goals and 37 assists in 298 career games played (261 starts) across 13 seasons in MLS (2012-Present). Additionally, Delgado ranks first amongst all MLS players in distance covered in possession (104.68 km) and second in total distance covered (253.87 km) during the 2024 campaign.
- Diego Fagundez returns to the Starting XI in tonight’s match against Minnesota. Notably, the Galaxy are unbeaten (7-0-5) in each of Fagundez’s 12 starts during the 2024 campaign. Fagundez, who has totaled 146 goal contributions (72 goals, 74 assists) in 380 career MLS appearances (280 starts), ranks 16th all-time in league history in regular-season games played. Fagundez is one of 10 players in MLS history to record at least 70 goals and 70 assists.
- Riqui Puig, who was named to his second consecutive MLS All-Star Game, starts in midfield in tonight’s match against Minnesota United. Puig has 14 goal contributions (6 goals, 8 assists) in 18 appearances (17 starts) and leads all players in MLS this season in touches (1,904), passes attempted (1,718), passes completed (1,518) and ranks tied for first in fouls suffered (51). The Matadepera, Spain, native has recorded three career assists in two league appearances (2 starts) against Minnesota.
- Ghanian National Team forward Joseph Paintsil, who scored the game-winning goal in the 3-0 win over San Jose on June 29, starts out wide in tonight’s match. Paintsil has 11 goal contributions (6 goals, 5 assists) in 18 appearances (17 starts) for the LA Galaxy this season. Additionally, Paintsil has posted the second-fastest top speed in MLS (36.78 km/h) behind only Colorado Rapids defender Moise Bombito (37.27 km/h).
- Brazilian youth international forward Gabriel Pec, 23, who has 15 goal contributions (7 goals, 8 assists) in 21 appearances (18 starts) for the Galaxy this season, gets the start on the wing in tonight’s match against the Loons. Notably, Pec has 10 goal contributions (4 goals, 6 assists) in eight games played (8 starts) for LA dating back to May 25. In five matches played dating back to June 15, Pec has notched three goals and four assists. Pec has tallied six goals and six assists in 10 appearances at home (DHSP & Rose Bowl) during the 2024 campaign.
- Starting up top for the LA Galaxy is forward Dejan Joveljić, who scored his team-leading 12 goals of the 2024 campaign in the 3-0 win over San Jose on June 29. In five matches played dating back to June 15, Joveljić has tallied three goals and three assists. The Serbian International has totaled 17 goal contributions (12 goals, 5 assists) in 20 games played during the 2024 campaign, recording 1.06 goals+assists per 90 minutes played. Notably, Joveljić has recorded three goals and one assist in seven league matches played (2 starts) against Minnesota.
