LAFC, LA Galaxy Tie in Latest Edition of El Tráfico
Los Angeles, CA –LAFC’s Banc of California stadium was red hot and electric for today’s latest installment of El Tráfico. The Black & Gold came into this game winless in their last 7 matches and falling in the standings. They were in 9th place and in desperate need of getting back on track to make a push for the playoffs. LA Galaxy on the other hand is faring much better this season and was looking to keep pace with Seattle. Galaxy stood in 4th place in the Western Conference.
The biggest news of the night was the absence of Carlos Vela and Chicharito. Both players did not participate in this match due to injury. The match started a tad slow with both teams trying to get a feel for each other. But it was the 5-time MLS champion’s that scored first. In the 20th minute, Dejan Joveljić placed the ball behind the net silencing the home crowd. It was his first goal with the LA Galaxy. Following that goal, both teams opened the attack, going back and forth with plenty of crisp passing. In the 44th minute, LAFC earned a penalty shot after a silly foul inside the box. Cristian Arango scored the penalty, and the teams went to the half with a 1-1 tie.
In the second half, both teams came out swinging. In the 58th minute, LAFC took the lead. A goal was scored by Brian Rodriguez as the home crowd erupted with noise and black smoke bombs in the 3252 supporters club section. Soon after however, in the 64th minute, Dejan Joveljić scored for the Galaxy and just like that, the game was knotted at 2.
Just 2 minutes later, Bob Bradley’s team regained the lead with another goal by Uruguayan striker Brian Rodriguez. LAFC expects this from Rodriguez who has not lived up to the expectations this year. However, he can change that in the absence of Vela as he can become the scorer and distributor LAFC expects and needs him to be. Just as the fans were anticipating earning that win, the Galaxy struck again to tie the game up. In the 86th minute, the rivals tied the game with a goal from Kévin Cabral. In a split second, LAFC earned one point instead of the much needed three.
