The El Trafico derby between LAFC and the LA Galaxy is one of the most highly anticipated matches in Major League Soccer, and the 18th edition of the rivalry lived up to the hype. The match was played on Sunday afternoon, and LAFC emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over their crosstown rivals at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The victory was historic for LAFC, as it marked their first-ever away win in El Trafico. Carlos Vela played a starring role in the win, scoring two goals and providing an assist for Ryan Hollingshead’s goal. Vela’s two goals also helped him set a new record for the most goals scored in El Trafico history with a total of 12.
LAFC’s victory came just days after they secured a spot in the Concacaf Champions League semifinals with a win over Cruz Azul. Despite playing five games in two weeks, LAFC remained unbeaten in Major League Soccer after eight games, with a record of five wins, two draws, and no losses.
LA Galaxy, on the other hand, are still looking for their first win of the season. They have a record of zero wins, four losses, and three draws after seven games. However, there were some positive signs for the team in the match against LAFC. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez returned to the starting lineup after an injury layoff and played the full 90 minutes, providing an emotional spark for the team. Tyler Boyd also scored a stunning goal from distance, which was the longest goal for the Galaxy in MLS since Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s debut in 2018.
Despite the positives, the Galaxy ultimately lost the match due to self-inflicted mistakes. Gaston Brugman’s turnover in midfield led to Vela’s first goal, and two more mistakes led to LAFC’s second and third goals. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney was disappointed with the result but saw positives in the team’s performance.
“I’ve never been more sure about this group’s ability to do something special this season than today,” Vanney said. “We’ve got to cut out the part where we hurt ourselves to make the other team beat us.”
The El Trafico derby has become one of the most popular rivalries in Major League Soccer, with both teams boasting passionate fan bases and star-studded rosters. Despite the rivalry, both teams have shown respect for each other off the field, with players and coaches from both sides acknowledging the importance of the derby and the quality of the opposition.
As the season progresses, both LAFC and the LA Galaxy will be looking to build on their performances in El Trafico and make a push for the playoffs. With Vela in top form for LAFC and Chicharito back in action for the Galaxy, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement to come in the remainder of the season.
