MAX NELSON
LAFC hosts LA Galaxy for pre-playoff El Tráfico
SEASON OVERVIEWS:
El Tráfico reaches a height it has not peaked at since 2024, as a recently surging LA Galaxy will test the 3252’s home support.
The 28th edition of El Tráfico will emanate from BMO Stadium at 6 p.m. tomorrow. MLS’ premier rivalry has higher stakes this time around, as the visiting LA Galaxy are looking to cement their place in the playoffs, while LAFC are hoping to show they are still a team that runs the Western Conference.
It is hard to find a more even or competitive rivalry in MLS than the derby for Southern California. The all-time head-to-head record in El Tráfico contests is 10-7-10, dead even and separated only by seven draws. Six points separate sixth-place LAFC (12-10-9) from eight-place LA Galaxy (10-10-11) in the Western Conference.
LAFC beat the Galaxy in both teams’ first game back from the World Cup break on July 17 in a 3-0 rout. Heung-Min Son scored his first regular season goal for the Black and Gold in a game where LAFC could not be stopped in the box.
In their last five games, LAFC are 1-3-1 and the Galaxy are 3-1-2.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE BATTLE FOR LA
The Galaxy will likely be without DP winger Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and striker Kyōgo Furuhashi in tomorrow’s match. Reus and Klauss have had to carry much of the offensive load for the Galaxy. LA may be looking for a hero to step up and contribute for an offense that has struggled. Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz brought in two experienced midfielders, MLS veteran Pablo Ruiz and the storied Sergi Roberto, to stabilize a midfield that had struggled to dribble the ball up the pitch. The battle for the midfield could be the story to watch in this match. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has impressed many and his ability in net will be tested when facing a skilled LAFC offense.
LAFC will likely be without Cabral Carter, Jeremy Ebobisse and Timothy Tillman. Bouanga is the guy you could easily point to as the attacker to watch for LAFC, as he has a team-leading 17 goals, while also having scored in a record seven consecutive Tráficos. He is the best offensive player between both LA teams and it will be a challenge for the Galaxy defense to try and stop the Frenchman. Defender Ryan Porteous has been a reliable center-back for the Black and Gold this season. Porteous has contributed a heavy workload of 2,149 minutes with 139 clearances and creating from the back with accurate crosses and long balls. Porteous will need to organize the defense alongside goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to stifle the Galaxy’s attack. Midfielder Mark Delgado has risen to the occasion against his former club. There is little reason to expect Delgado to not make his presence known in a match that will see two progressive midfields fight for possession.
In their last five games, LAFC are 1-3-1 and the Galaxy are 3-1-2.
HOMEFIELD FAVORS THE BLACK AND GOLD
The LA Galaxy have had a hard time going away to the heart of Los Angeles. The Galaxy last beat LAFC at BMO Stadium on May 23, 2023, in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. In MLS regular-season play, the Galaxy have not beaten LAFC at BMO Stadium since the venue was called the Banc of California Stadium on Aug. 22, 2022.
This match will show if the LA Galaxy have learned from its loss to LAFC and whether Greg Vanney’s side have bought into an identity. LAFC has had an elite defense but has not kept a clean sheet in its last six MLS matches. The first goal, if there is one, will likely set the tone and give the scoring LA side control of the match.
LA’s soul is on the line, but so are the MLS Cup Playoffs.
