LAFC, LA Galaxy to fight for 1st on 4th of July

The MLS marquis rivalry known as “El Tráfico” pitting LA Galaxy against LAFC returns to the Rose Bowl Stadium on Thursday, July 4th for its 23rd edition. Last year’s Independence Day battle at the Rose Bowl set a league attendance record with over 82,000 fans. 

While the history of the competition dates back to 2018 and includes the memorable first match when Zlatan Ibrahimović made his ebullient debut, high stakes playoffs matches, supporters from both sides adding fuel to the fire of competition, for the first time ever both teams are playing for first place in the Western Conference. 

Now that there are no vestiges of the past remaining in the competition and all ties to that past irreplaceable first duel in which Zlatan left a mark on MLS forever are gone, it is fitting that both teams are leading into the match with fervor and freshness. 

In LAFC's coach Steve Cherundolo's mind, it is the fiercest rivalry in all of MLS.

 "LA is a sports town, and you have one club who has won the most championships, I believe. Traditionally, the best club over the 28-year span," he said. "But you have LAFC over the last seven years, coming on very strong. So, that makes it really interesting. And yeah, I think the history of the fans too, both fan groups, both being from LA, one from LA, and the other from a little outside, but LA is pretty big. So I think we can say that. And I think that makes it very interesting. And for me, yes, the biggest rivalry."

A revitalized Galaxy side, exorcising the demons of arguably one of their worst seasons ever, is surging in the standings with a reinforced roster and has posted their fourth straight win under coach Greg Vanney (a first for him at the helm).

LAFC, tied on points with the Galaxy, boast top honors with a match in hand in the Western Conference and are riding a wave of nine-straight unbeaten league matches (11 across all competitions) led by the offensive combination of Denís Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz. At the same time, their defense posted new club shutout records, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rallied for eight clean sheets (ranked second in the league). 

The two clubs met early on this season in April when LAFC beat the first-placed Galaxy, but the Black and Gold lacked collective team cohesion representative of their current potential. The unique quality of Thursday's version of El Tráfico lies within the independent journeys of both sides converging to a never-before occurrence; they are tied at the top of the conference, and they both have been on successful stretches showcasing their strengths.

"I think that’s how everybody drew it up. It’s more exciting towards the end of the season and in the playoffs. But for right now, it’s great. Both teams are on pace with each other and showing great signs and showing the ability to win away from home, the ability to win at home," Steve Cherundolo said. "Again, the Galaxy has been much more balanced this year, which has been great to watch and compliments to them," he concluded.

LAFC, after a shaky start to the season, reeling from the restructuring of their attack after the unexpected departure of Carlos Vela, who was a foundational pillar of the club's identity, and unable to win on the road until May, have not lost a match since May 4th when they stumbled to a 3-1 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes. 

The partnership of Bogusz, who has accumulated 11 goal contributions in the last seven league matches, and 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Bouanga, who has 9 goal contributions in that same period, has blossomed into an intuitive bond on the pitch that the entire team has profited from. 

The high level of competitiveness and communication that only a seasoned World Cup winner like Lloris can bring has buoyed a developing overall defensive awareness and soccer IQ across the roster, which is comprised of a mix of veterans like Ilie Sànchez and Kei Kamara and newcomers like Nathan Ordaz and David Martinez. 

The Galaxy have been a force to be reckoned with, starting with their attack. A breakout season from forward Dejan Jovelić, the trustworthy play of midfielder Riqui Puig, and new designated players (DPs) on the wings, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, have taken the team to high levels. 

Jovelić leads the team with 12 goals, including six goal contributions in their last four matches. Pec is second on the team in goals with six and leads the team in assists with seven. Puig trails him with assists. Paintsil is tied with Pec with six goals and has tallied four assists.

The Galaxy's dynamic attack has helped the team defy many preseason expectations, which Puig has been sure to inform the world about. 

The Galaxy's defense was less impressive early in the season, conceding two or more goals in three of their first five games. However, they have kept clean sheets in their last three matches. Some of this is because of the return of 20-year-old defender Jalen Neal, who missed many of their early season games due to injury. Since his return, the Galaxy has been unbeaten in the seven matches he has started. 

They gave up two goals to LAFC in the first 35 minutes during the first matchup. They will look to concede fewer in the entire match on Thursday. 

"With both teams being at the top, it feels like a special occasion to be the sole team at the top of the West at the end of the night," Vanney said. "Lots of motivation inside the game. It is also one of a few games we lost earlier in the year, so we want to show our progress." 

Historically, the Galaxy has the edge in the series, leading with nine wins, while LAFC has eight. However, when it matters the most, LAFC won both of their playoff matches against their Los Angeles rivals, first in 2019 and again in 2022, when they continued on to win their first MLS Cup. The two teams have also met twice in the U.S. Open Cup, with the Galaxy winning both; however, they failed to advance to the finals. 

What began as a marketing stroke of genius, has naturally evolved into an authentic marvel deserving of the grandiose and historic Rose Bowl as its venue. Thursday's battle marks another matchup between two geographic rivals who continue to push each other to greater heights. But, it carries more weight this time: it is a fight for first place in the west.