CARSON, Calif. -- In the first El Tráfico battle of 2025, LAFC fought into a 2-2 draw against the Galaxy on Sunday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The two squads traded blows early on, with Marco Reus' goal in just the sixth minute giving the Galaxy the early momentum. It was the second goal of the season for the 35-year-old midfielder as he cleaned up a deflection off a Hugo Lloris save to cash in on the breakaway chance.
Just minutes later, Denis Bouanga continued his blistering hot streak and evened the score. With his seventh goal in just as many games, he rocketed one from deep outside the box that curled around Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy to find the bottom right of the net.
BOUANGAAAAAAAAAAA 🚀
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
😤 Built for these moments.#LAGvLAFC https://t.co/z2VTfjGk28 pic.twitter.com/aijm24v9Ws
Bouanga has now scored or assisted in seven consecutive matches, leading the charge throughout the duration of LAFC's current unbeaten streak, which now sits at seven.
The black and gold would have a couple more promising chances before half, including a pair of shots back-to-back from David Martinez and Eddie Segura following a free kick from Bouanga. Neither, however, could get through as the rivals went into the locker room all even at one.
Just as they did in the opening half, LAFC started the second with another early goal. This time, it was 21-year-old Nathan Ordaz who got loose in the box and took advantage of a perfect feed from Ryan Hollingshead.
ORDAZ SZN 🔛
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
A strike from Nathan Ordaz gives us the lead. https://t.co/7GTnvgPkVW pic.twitter.com/rJxxkX9958
It was the third goal of the year for Ordaz, who was eventually subbed out in the 61st minute for Jeremy Ebobisse.
After a tense next few minutes, it looked as if Gabriel Pec had delivered the equalizer for the Galaxy. The right-winger got loose on a breakaway in the 78th and drilled one past Lloris, but upon review, the play was ruled offside and the goal came off the board to keep LAFC in front 2-1.
"What I'm tired of is those calls going against us and we can't get one to go for us," said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney. "I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm just asking for consistency in some of these situations."
Keeping with the theme of the back-and-forth chaos, Marco Reus struck for the second time on a free kick in the 87th minute to get the Galaxy even at two. There was no taking back this one as he rocketed it past the dive of Lloris, sending the home crowd of 23,803 into a frenzy.
Nico Alba - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Galaxy central midfielder Marco Reus (18) scores a goal during an MLS soccer game against LAFC, Sunday May 18th, 2025 in Carson, California.
With nine minutes of stoppage time giving the two sides a chance to leap back in front and claim the thriller, neither could scrape across one last goal. The full-time whistle blew as round 1 of El Tráfico finished in a draw.
The Galaxy, despite a solid effort to fight even in the late stages, remains winless at 0-5-10. The squad did manage to snap their five-game losing streak, earning just their second point at home this season in the process. It was only their third time with a lead in any match thus far as they went out in front 1-0 early.
As for LAFC, the unbeaten streak continued to get them to 6-5-4. They remain winless in 2025 during matches where the opponent manages to score first.
Returning to action on Saturday, May 24, LAFC will travel to north to Canada as they battle CF Montréal. Montréal, at just 1-4-9, currently holds last in the Eastern Conference.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT.