Galaxy lose El Trafico, miss chance to claim first place

PASADENA, Calif. -- Thursday’s 4th of July El Trafico matchup took the rivalry to new levels.

The LA Galaxy and LAFC faced off for the second straight year at the Rose Bowl. But for the first time, they met as the top teams in the Western Conference at 40 points.

The elevated El Trafico matchup in front of 70,076 fans at the Rose Bowl was a massive opportunity for both sides. The winner would move to sole possession of first place in the West while making a statement against their rivals. 

The Galaxy squandered that chance, losing 2-1. 

They held 64% of possession but were outshot 23-10, giving up 1.92 expected goals (xG). That was because they appeared purposeless with the ball. On the contrary, LAFC started quickly, generating many of the first half's dangerous chances in transition. 

"You can't always build through the middle of the field," said coach Greg Vanney. "In the first half, we didn't get much of any of it right, and it became pretty easy to defend us.

It becomes death by 1,000 passes, and they utilize those losses of possessions to break out against us and put us a bit on our heels," Vanney said.

Goalkeeper John McCarthy fought off many of LAFC's early opportunities. However, eventually, the pressure was too much in the 40th minute when forward Kei Kamara headed home with a goal off a corner kick.

Defender Julian Aude tripped LAFC midfielder Eduard Atuesta in the box shortly after. Forward Denis Bouanga doubled LAFC’s lead in the 44th minute.

The script flipped in the second half as the Galaxy picked up steam. They looked more dangerous with the ball, getting it into the box. 

56 minutes into the match, defender Miki Yamane fought through traffic and laid the ball off to forward Gabriel Pec, who got one back for the Galaxy.

“The second half, we put them on their heels…  For me, it was a proactive team with a purpose in the second half and a team that I don't know what we were trying to achieve in the first half with the ball,” Vanney said.

Still, the Galaxy could not find an equalizer. After digging themselves into a hole in the first half, they could only do so much. 

“We were purposeless in the first half…. You're not going to win, especially against good teams, doing that,” Vanney said.

The Galaxy dropped to third in the Western Conference, while LAFC moved to first. It was also the Galaxy's third straight El Trafico loss. 

Vanney said he enjoyed the atmosphere at the Rose Bowl but does not know if it will become a permanent fixture. San Diego FC is joining MLS in 2025, which could affect scheduling. Filling the stands at the Rose Bowl is also an extensive effort, especially compared to a regular home game. 

“In MLS, there are only so many opportunities you have in a season to create an environment like this, where it kind of feels like a playoff atmosphere,” Vanney said. “It feels like a game bigger than just another derby or another MLS game.”

Next, the Galaxy plays Minnesota United on Sunday.