El Rey makes his return to help LAFC defeat Galaxy 2-0

Carlos Vela makes his return known as he helps give LAFC the 2-0 victory in the 4th and possibly final installment of the #ElTrafico for the 2020 MLS season.

In what many thought would be the first El Trafico installment with both Chicharito and Carlos Vela on the field was quickly shot down as the pregame rosters were announced and Chicharito was a late scratch from the Galaxy roster because of an injury sustained.

The game begin with a very dull first half that saw the clearest opportunity be brought by the foot of LAFC forward Diego Rossi who blasted a shot that ricocheted off the top crossbar. A game changing moment for the LA Galaxy occurred as well in the first half as  Giancarlo Gonzalez received a yellow card for taking down Diego Rossi initially called inside the penalty box, but was overturned via VAR to just outside but also upgrading Gonzalez’s booking to a red card. Leaving the LA Galaxy down to 10 men in just the 25th minute of play.

Although down 10 men the team from Carson was able to adjust their line up and withstand the LAFC attack and were able to come out of the first half with a 0-0 tie.

In the second half LAFC was able to find the back of the net and break the tie as Danny Musovski scored with a chip over the LA Galaxy goalie and giving the black and gold the 1-0 lead.

In order to counter and try to get the tying goal our Mextranjero Jonathan Dos Santos who had a very quiet game was subbed out in the 67th minute of play.

The much anticipated return of Carlos Vela was made as he was subbed into the game in the 70th minute and did not waste time trying to spark a play, in his first play towards goal he was taken down and awarded a free kick.

Vela was able to make his return official on his own terms as he scored the 2nd and final goal for LAFC in the 90+4th minute with a chip over the LA Galaxy goalkeeper and cementing the victory for the LAFC.

Postgame LAFC Head coach Bob Bradley was asked about what the goal Vela scored could mean to the confidence of Carlos and the team, and he said it meant alot that Carlos got back not only on the field but also scored an excellent goal and that its been really good having him in training.

With this win LAFC stay in the middle of the Western Conference standings currently at 4th with 28 points and a good chance to stay in the top half of the standings heading into the playoffs. 

On the contrary the LA Galaxy stay in the last place of the Western conference standings and are close to being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

LAFC now heads to Texas as they play the Houston Dynamo and the LA Galaxy head up north to face the Portland Timbers.