We won’t sit here and bore you with the typical hype that comes with matches like this one, because we all know what it means. Everything. This match has gone so much farther beyond bragging rights, and has become the first matchup scheduled anytime the schedule drops. In the best of times, this is the match you want to win, by as big a margin as possible, more than any other contest on the calendar. Considering the form LAFC come into this year’s first meeting, this isn’t exactly the best of times, and getting a win tonight, is more than just the goal, its the expectation.
Matchday: #LAFCvLAG
⏰ 4:30PM PT
🖥️ Free on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV
🖥️ @Foxtv
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles App— LAFC (@LAFC) April 6, 2024
Both teams know the importance of scoring first in a game like this, and both sides came out firing from the off. Galaxy nearly got on the board first with a shot that tested Lloris in just the first minute of the match. However, LAFC were not about to let that slide, and on their first real attack they earned a corner. In just the fourth minute of the match, the corner kick was sent in, glanced off an LAFC head at the near post and soared on, finding Timothy Tillman at the far post who put it over the line for the early goal to the good.
Himothy.#LAFCvLAG 1-0 pic.twitter.com/mqrFmXwSTi
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 7, 2024
As we know, the likelihood of this one ending with a single goal was slim and none, and around the 27th minute slim got up to beat the LA traffic. The Galaxy came storming down the pitch and were asking how many chances at the goal are needed before reaching the center of the back of the net? The answer was not one, not toohoo, but three shots at the target before finding the equalizer in one of the wilder sequences we have seen this season.
We. Are. LEVEL!@LAGalaxy equalize through Aude. It’s 1-1. pic.twitter.com/1uJvj5G83r
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 7, 2024
The floodgates had been opened and we were off and running as just minutes later LAFC were on the attack looking to answer and were the beneficiaries of a bit of a controversial penalty call, awarded for the bringing down of Bouanga. After a trip to the monitor under VAR the call was confirmed, penalty given, and it was Denis Bouanga who stepped up to the spot and put it home to retake the lead for LAFC. We were nearing peak chaos before we even hit the halftime break.
Denis from the spot 🎯#LAFCvLAG 2-1 pic.twitter.com/l0bablHRvU
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 7, 2024
Galaxy tried their hardest to pull off another equalizer before the break, but halftime came with LAFC holding on to the goal lead, but you definitely got the sense more goals were coming in this one. The visitors have been excellent at finding that little bit extra in the waning minutes of matches, so a goal or two insurance is what the black & gold were hoping to get, early in the final half.
The match calmed down for a chunk of the second half. The Galaxy were struggling to find ways to break down the LAFC defense, while the home side were content with their lead, taking what was given, when it was. The home side did come close to a third, but in the end it was just another missed opportunity. It wasn’t until the 65th minute that we saw proceedings liven back up with the visitors beginning to apply some more pressure and take more chances in attack.
Despite the seemingly endless pressure, and the worrisome missed open chances late from LAFC to put it away, the black & gold were able to withstand it all and see out the win at home. The win marks the third straight wins at home this season as the team look to have snapped out of the slump, at least when at home. This one definitely means more as its not just a win over the cross-town rivals, but the loss is the first one for the Galaxy in 2024, something LAFC will take extra pleasure in. Now, sights are set on snapping the slump on the road, with the team head to Portland for another away day against the Timbers.
Thoughts on the win over the rivals? Leave a comment below!