It should come as no surprise, but the latest edition of El Trafico was as close, and chaotic, as it always is. Despite what looked like an easy win on paper, we warned not too get expectations too high because when it comes to rivalry games in sports, the form and records can be thrown out the window. Coming into this match with all the momentum, and against a team that has still yet to find a win, LAFC will be slightly disappointed to not have secured all three points, but considering how the match started, perhaps they should count themselves lucky to avoid the upset altogether.
All even.#LAGvLAFC pic.twitter.com/NZCIGp7oQF
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
It took no time at all for the match to really get going. Galaxy looked like team that knew if they were to have any chance, they would need to strike early and often. It took just six minutes for them to do just that. Their original attempt was saved by Hugo Lloris, but German superstar Marco Reus was Johnny on the spot as he cleaned up the deflection and slotted it home for the first goal of the match.
🗣️ @LAGalaxy strike 6 minutes in! 😤
Marco Reus follows up a Hugo Lloris save to make it 1-0. pic.twitter.com/0EmhKFKt8X
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2025
The best part about this rivalry, is that it tends to really being out the star power both teams have on the pitch. It didn’t take long until LAFC’s superstar forward, Denis Bouanga, decided he was tired of trailing. In the 13th minute of the match, the Gabonese attacker hit us with a banger. After dribbling past one defender to open up some space, Bouanga unloaded from several yards outside the box, firing off a rocket towards his former teammate, John McCarthy, who could only watch as it screamed past for the equalizer.
BOUANGAAAAAAAAAAA 🚀
😤 Built for these moments.#LAGvLAFC https://t.co/z2VTfjGk28 pic.twitter.com/aijm24v9Ws
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
The first half was pretty even and not just in the scoreline. LAFC kept 54% of the possession, with more shots (10) than their rivals (7) but it was the home side that was able to get more shots on target (3). Even would be the theme of the night, as the second half went pretty much the exact same way with just one small caveat. The home side were getting dangerously close to finding enough for the upset. It was clear the Galaxy wanted this one more than any other they had played this year. Which, makes sense, who wouldn’t want their first win of the season to be against your rivals who many understand is, at the moment, the team in far better form.
However, it was LAFC that struck first in the second half as another star in the making decided to announce himself on the rivalry stage. Nathan Ordaz, who is having a phenomenal follow-up season to his breakout campaign last year, decided to put his name on the scoresheet just minutes into the second half. A moment of excellent ball movement and passing as Ryan Hollingshead put in a perfect pass to a running Nathan Ordaz, who needed just one touch to place it past the keeper and into the back of the net for the lead.
ORDAZ SZN 🔛
A strike from Nathan Ordaz gives us the lead. https://t.co/7GTnvgPkVW pic.twitter.com/rJxxkX9958
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
The last fifteen minuets of the match were all Galaxy as the home side looked to desperately not only find an equalizer, but perhaps even smash and grab the win late. The were able to get the first part of that, with another brilliant moment from Marco Reus. In the 86th minute the team was awarded the free kick just outside of the box, and the German stepped up and put together a great free kick that found its way past Lloris, giving the home side their equalizer.
MARCO REUS FREE KICK! 😱
What finesse to bring the @LAGalaxy level late against LAFC. pic.twitter.com/IeZfUJFtaC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2025
The match ended in the 2-2 draw as both sides come away likely feeling like there was more to be had. “We always look to beat everybody, and if we have the lead we don’t like to give it away” said Nathan Ordaz when speaking to media after the match. “We didn’t lose, obviously, but our expectations are higher than just tying. We want to win championships.” Even with the draw, LAFC push their unbeaten run to seven matches running as the team continue to find form and consistency. They will have another chance down the road to take down their rivals, but for now, the team turn their focus to Saturday as the road trip takes them to our neighbors in the North, taking on CF Montreal.
Thoughts on the draw? Leave a comment below!