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LAFC 3, LA Galaxy 3: Six goals and points shared in rivalry shootout

While LAFC remain unbeaten in July, it was another disappointing draw against the worst in the West
Trebor TracyBy 6 Mins Read
LAFC forward Javairǒ Dilrosun scored on the biggest stage as he continues to make his mark in his short time with the club. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles FC

If there is one thing we know about El Tráfico at this point, it’s the fact that this matchup will never end 1-0. Goals come fast, they come last minute, and every time these two sides meet it’s an adventure. This past weekend was no exception as LAFC put their recent form and winning streak to the test against cross-town rivals and Western Conference bottom feeders, Galaxy.

This was an absolute goal fest so let’s get right into it. The first half showed glimpses of vintage LAFC, not just a team that was playing well at home, but looking like a team that could score a ton and score at-will. Galaxy kept 65%  of the possession in the first half, but it was the home side that was making the most of their time on the ball. It took just 25 minutes before we got the opening goal, and who else other Denis Bouanga was the one bagging it. With one of the best passes we have seen all season, LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead sent Denis Bouanga on the run with a perfect pass that went around the nearest defender and found Bouanga in stride right at the top of the box with nobody else around him. Bouanga didn’t even handle the pass, just let it roll as he squared up a shot and with his first touch, put it into the back of the net for the early lead.

Just five minutes later, LAFC were on the board again. Former Galaxy man, Mark Delgado was the one sending players free this time, with his touch finding a streaking Nathan Ordaz down the same side as Bouanga just minutes earlier. Even though Ordaz had tons of space and time, the youngster played it unselfishly, passing across the front of goal to find Dilrosun on the opposite end who was also wide open, as he slammed it home to double the lead in the 30th minute.

It looked like LAFC had gotten their juice back, and were about to really put it on their biggest rivals in the league. Alas, this matchup never seems to go the way it first appears and this one was no different. Just minutes after doubling their lead, we got a third goal of the night. While LAFC have benefited from penalties as of late, it was Galaxy who earned one in the 35th minute of the first half, and Gabriel Pec stepped up to the spot for the G’s, sent Lloris the other way and cut the deficit in half.

The 2-1 scoreline would hold until halftime. As we mentioned Galaxy held a bunch of the possession and they also finished the first half with nearly twice as many passes as LAFC (318). However, LAFC finished with more shots (6) and the most important stat, more goals as they took a lead and all the momentum into the break. The second half started a bit slow, with the home side not risking too much with the lead and with the visitors applying pressure as they looked for an equalizer, but it didn’t take long to see another goal. In the 67th minute, a well-timed flick saw the ball land in the middle of two Galaxy defenders but before either could react to it, Denis Bouanga came flying in like prime Reggie Bush as he took control of the ball, and the wide open canyon-sized hole, and went from midfield all the way down the pitch with pure pace, taking on the keeper with ease and extending the lead for LAFC after slotting it home in the corner. For a brief moment, it felt like this one was all black & gold as they looked to make it four wins running.

Shortly after LAFC made a few subs to try and tighten up the defense and see the match through, we were shown why this match is never over until the final whistle blows. With crisp passing, Galaxy broke down the defense in the 78th minute, which ended with Gabriel Pec getting his brace and cutting the deficit to just one goal after slotting it past Lloris for the score.

Things went from bad to worse in the final stages of the match when Eddie Segura was shown a red card for putting hands around the neck area of a Galaxy player during a flare up of emotions as the two teams got into a shoving match. A few yellows were shown but it was the red that saw LAFC lose a member of defense and it came back to bite them. With the final action of the match, Galaxy defender Mauricio Cuevas sent a ball into the box that found fellow defender Maya Yoshida who leaped up and glanced the ball with his head just enough to get it past Hugo Lloris for the last-second equalizer.

For the neutral, this was yet another fantastic chapter in a rivalry that has produced countless memories and wild moments in its short time. For LAFC , while the team remain unbeaten through four matches, this will feel like a loss. This is the second time they have drawn to the Galaxy this year, and after having a pretty commanding lead late, to not see it through for the win, at home, against the literal worst team in the conference, doesn’t feel good. That said, this is still a team trending in the right direction. With no matches at the midweek, they finally have an ease with the schedule, though several players will be involved in the MLS All-Star festivities happening Wednesday. As for league play, the team will turn focus to what will be a tricky match against the Portland Timbers with the team now missing Eddie Segura due to his red card suspension, on top of the other defensive absences.

Thoughts on the draw against Galaxy? Leave a comment below!

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