There might not be a more chaotically perfect way to return to MLS action after the FIFA World Cup break, than with one of the most heated rivalries in the league taking center stage, as LAFC make the very short trip down the 110 taking on rivals, LA Galaxy. The first meeting of the season between these two comes later than early July, but expect fireworks all the same. A Galaxy side feeling themselves as they look to be having a far better campaign this year than recently, hosting an LAFC side that started off the season looking unbeatable, but went into summer break looking like a team that had forgotten how to play football at times. Second half of the season is about to get underway, so wipe the slate clean, forget all that happened in the past, and focus on the road to the playoffs which, begins now.
Matchday: #LAGvLAFC
⏰ 7:25 PM PST
🖥️ @AppleTV
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles & K-Radio 1230
🇰🇷 Spotv & Coupang Play pic.twitter.com/m1P0yIcHIX— LAFC (@LAFC) July 17, 2026
Galaxy come into this match sitting right on the playoff line, as they continue to have a great season compared to how it’s been in Carson the last couple of seasons. They have lost just one of their last five matches, with two wins and two draws to go along with it. This is a Galaxy team that is getting production from all throughout their attack. Forward Gabriel Pec leads the team with five goals, along with four assists which is second behind forward Marco Reus who has five assists, to go along with his four goals, while forward Joseph Painstil has two assists and three goals to his tally, so you get the point. This will be one of those days where goalkeepers will likely be tested early and often as both sides look to get their attacks going.
Speaking of getting going, that is exactly what LAFC need tonight, to get it going. The black & gold limped into the World Cup break, losing four of their last five matches, though they did finish stronger with a win in their final match juts before the summer break. One of the biggest issues for the team going into break was figuring out where they would find consistency from. Denis Bouanga leads the team with six goals, but has been very up and down this year with a handful of dry spells. Heung-Min Son had a first half to forget, that bled into a World Cup to forget with South Korea, and now returns hoping to finally bag his first MLS goal of the season and kickstart a desperately needed run of form. The team just sold Nathan Ordaz to DC United, and the only other somewhat consistent source of attack, David Martinez, has been linked with a move to Germany so it is unclear how much, if it all, he will feature in the weeks ahead. All that said, slates are wiped clean (kind of) and it’s time to forget the Spring, focus on the Summer, and push to be in a great position come Fall. LAFC currently sit in fifth, just eight points off the top, and we have seen this team go on runs before. No better time to start another run of wins than with the return of MLS regular season action, against the rivals you hate most, in their house.
How To Watch
It might not be 4th of July, but the fireworks will fly tonight as LAFC make the trip down the 110 to take on LA Galaxy in the first meeting between the two, this season. Kickoff is set for 7:25pm PST from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The match will be broadcast live and can be watched on AppleTV. The match will also be streamed on Coupang Play (Korea) as well as SpoTV (Korea). The match will also be available on radio broadcast on 710 AM Los Angeles, 980 AM La Mera Mera for Spanish broadcasting, and KYPA 1230 AMfor Korean broadcasting.
Thoughts on LAFC as they return to MLS regular season action this evening? Drop us a comment below!