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It’s that time of the year again. The biggest rivalry in the MLS, the for the battle of LA, the Galaxy vs LAFC. Sold out crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park. This is the premiere showcase for the MLS on their return from World Cup break. Lively and electric atmosphere. This is what the MLS can be when fan bases have genuine rivalries. It feels like a European derby game.
Not only are the stakes high for these teams and their fan bases, but it’s a big showcase on national TV for the MLS, who are attempting to greet new fans of the sport, or ones that aren’t regular MLS viewers.
The upper deck section 200 is packed with LAFC fans, while the lower bowl is mostly Galaxy faithful.
Early in the game and both teams are feeling each other out, little more possession by the Galaxy, but neither team pushing yet.
Early substitution in the 20th minute for LA. Erik Thommy comes off, Harbor Miller comes on. You have to wonder if it’s another injury concern for Thommy, who has been dealing with an injury since his arrival with the Galaxy.
Speaking of arrival in the 25th minute former Galaxy man, Mark Delgado, gets a cross from Jacob Shaffelburg and puts his head on it, but the ball is blocked, it bounded off the Galaxy defender and Delgado one-times it to the far post and back of the net.
LAFC gets on the board first in the first leg of the El Classico de Trafico. Delgado does go and briefly celebrate the goal in the corner with his teammates.
The Galaxy had more movement and attack in the game, but it’s LAFC who struck first.
Galaxy pushing forward after going down behind. The best chances they had in the game are two scuffles of pinball it the ball inside the box with a stuffed LAFC backline now allowing to get much of a shot attempt.
Galaxy need to get the ball wide if they want to get any sort of legitimate attempt, because LAFC is plugging up the middle with multiple defenders.
Moments later, Shaffelburg races with the ball forwards the Galaxy goal and gets taken down on a slide tackle by Justin Haak. Penalty.
Son steps up to take it, but plot twist, he picks up the ball, walks back and hands it to Denis Bouanga. Interesting. Was it Sonny’s decision on the spot to give it to Bouanga? Was it a coaches call?
Bouanga steps up and buries it to the left for 2-0 LAFC lead. Big blow to the Galaxy. LAFC heads into the half with a comfortable lead.
Galaxy will need to figure something out at halftime. They are lacking shot creators and strikers. LAFC played the kinda half Marc Dos Santos must have hoped for.
As the second half gets going more urgency on the attack from the Galaxy. They will need to find a way to create shots on goal. LAFC has been positioned very well do defend and create counter runs.
Remember the thing about Son has possibly a shaky confidence? Yea, forget that. Son finds an opening in the box and pulls the trigger on it right away and blasts one past a diving Novak Micovic. The streak is over. Son gets that long-awaited goal.
This is what LAFC have been envisioning. Returning to the form they started the year off with. On the other hand, this is the stuff of nightmares for Greg Vanney’s Galaxy.
Bouanga nearly made it 4-0 with a strike from the left wing that was knocked away by a soaring Micovic.Galaxy waving the white flag with 15 minutes to go. Get some young guys in there, the game is out of reach.
This isn’t easy for Greg Vanney. He just lost one of his best players in Gabriel Pec to a transfer. Their big offseason signing Joao Klauss, is recovering from an injury. So the lack of offensive firepower is being felt by them. Fans will not be happy with this result, but there is only so much Vanney can do with the lack of reinforcements at the moment.
LAFC completes the shutout in the first matchup of the year of the El Trafico. Impressive post-break start for LAFC. They got what they wanted. Sonny scoring, a convincing win and three points from an in-city rival at their home turf.
Galaxy has some work to do on the pitch and off it. A 3-0 defeat at home to a bitter rival, won’t go over well with the Galaxy faithful. Both teams will have a quick turnaround with a game coming up on Wednesday night.
Man of the Match:
Mark Delgado in his return to Dignity Health Sports Park gets LAFC on the board first and it was lights out for the Galaxy from there on. Delgado haunting the Galaxy and being that unsung glue guy for LAFC.
Next Up:
The LA Galaxy will stay home and return to action on Wednesday, July 22, hosting St. Louis CITY SC at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT
LAFC returns to BMO Stadium on Wednesday, July 22, when it hosts Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast on Apple TV, FOX, and FOX Deportes
