Well, as if this rivalry match couldn’t have any more storylines involved, we get a very big one dropping in the middle of the night, but we will get to that. This is El Trafico weekend, the LA Derby, the meeting between two teams hellbent on being the team holding the crown in LA soccer. Galaxy, with their five MLS Cups, have had much better seasons the last couple of years after nearly a decade of despair. LAFC, winners of their first MLS Cup in 2022, just four years after arriving in the MLS, looking to add some more silverware to the cabinet. This year, they also come into this match looking to complete the season sweep. That and so much more on the line tonight.
Tomorrow. ⌛
🆚 @lagalaxy
🖥️ @AppleTV with #MLSSeasonPass
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles#LAFC | @trulyseltzer pic.twitter.com/lgxI2gEZpj— LAFC (@LAFC) September 14, 2024
One vs Two
This will be the last time these two meet this season, unless they duel it out in the playoffs. It is also the biggest meeting of the year. Both teams come into this match in some mixed form, looking to use a win tonight as a catalyst to help with the rest of the playoff push. While these two teams have all but sealed their spots in the postseason, there is still the matter of seeding and positioning when talking playoffs. After years of struggle, the Galaxy have seemed to turn it around in recent seasons, and come into this one sitting atop the Western Conference. Galaxy sit four points clear, but LAFC do have two games in hand. Miami sit as leaders in the Supporter’s Shield race with 59pts and while many have them in pen to come away winners, there is still mathematically a chance to catch up, adding just that much more motivation into the mix.
Calling all stars
Both teams will be leaning hard on their star players in this match. Galaxy will be looking to feed Dejan Joveljic, who leads the team with 12 goals, but has gone a bit cold as of late. They also have Riqui Puig as well as new signing and world football icon, Marco Reus. Normally Joveljic comes off the bench, but with Joseph Paintsil serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation, its possible we see more of the super sub in the starting role. For LAFC, you already know the vibes. A heavy dose of the super duo Mateusz Bogusz and Denis Bouanga, with a dash of French flavoring with our newest signing and world football icon, Olivier Giroud. This will be one of those matches where the stars will be out, and the ones who come to play will be the reason their team comes away with three points.
Long live the El Rey
If you stayed up last night, you would have seen the news that set LAFC Twitter ablaze. If you went to sleep early, then you probably saw all the commotion this morning and still don’t believe it. Well, it’s looking more and more likely that we will soon see the return of El Rey, the King of LAFC, the inaugural superstar signed and the player who led the club to MLS Cup glory in 2022, forward Carlos Vela. Last night, Tom “Tommy Scoops” Bogert reported the team had reached an agreement to bring back the forward from free agency.
BREAKING: LAFC and club legend Carlos Vela have agreed to a contract, sources tell @GiveMeSport.
Vela has been without a club since his LAFC contract expired in the winter.
The MLS roster freeze is today. The last day eligible for Vela to return.https://t.co/QQwt5Id7nF
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) September 14, 2024
While nothing is officially official just yet, an announcement is expected in the coming days, with the LAFC official Twitter account already teasing with an easter egg of a Tifo of Vela hoisting the MLS Cup, as well as the traditional boxed hat tease. This is one of those Michael Scott, The Office, it’s happening, moments. As if this rivalry match wasn’t enough, the team seem ready to bring back true championship mentality in the form of club legend Vela. There might be something to this, as LAFC have failed to sealed the deal in four finals since the Mexican’s departure.
How To Watch
Kickoff for this match is set for 7:30pm PT from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Ca. The match will be broadcast live and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Those looking for radio can find the broadcast on ESPN LA on 710AM.
Thoughts ahead of the big rivalry match? Leave a comment below!