Los Ángeles FC vs LA Galaxy: Resumen

Los Angeles FC and LA Galaxy delivered another captivating chapter in the storied El Tráfico rivalry, battling to a dramatic 3-3 draw at BMO Stadium on a warm Saturday night in Los Angeles. The July 19th MLS clash had everything a derby should offer – lead changes, controversial moments, and late drama that left the 22,301 passionate fans breathless until the final whistle.

The hosts LAFC seemed to have control of the match after Denis Bouanga's brace and Javairo Dilrosun's clinical finish gave them a commanding lead, but the resilient Galaxy, spearheaded by Gabriel Pec's double and Maya Yoshida's 97th-minute equalizer, showed remarkable character to salvage a point despite sitting 18 places below their city rivals in the league standings.

The electric atmosphere at BMO Stadium reflected the significance of this fixture, with chants echoing throughout the venue as both sets of supporters created a cauldron of noise befitting the occasion. TIFO displays before kickoff celebrated the rich history of this young but intense rivalry, now in its 26th edition.

This result extends LAFC's unbeaten run to four matches as they maintain their position in the Western Conference playoff places with 36 points. For Galaxy, while still languishing near the bottom of the table with 16 points, this comeback represents a potential turning point in their disappointing season and provides crucial momentum heading into the second half of the campaign.

Steve Cherundolo's LAFC will rue missing the opportunity to claim all three points against their struggling neighbors, especially after Eddie Segura's late dismissal left them vulnerable in the dying moments. Meanwhile, Greg Vanney's Galaxy will take tremendous psychological value from twice fighting back against their high-flying rivals.

"We controlled large portions of the match and created enough chances to win comfortably, but that's El Tráfico – it's never over until the final whistle. The late red card changed the dynamic completely. We need to learn from these moments where we've let points slip away," said Steve Cherundolo, LAFC head coach, visibly frustrated by the late collapse.

"The character shown by this group tonight was exceptional. Being down twice against a quality side like LAFC and fighting back until literally the last kick of the game demonstrates the spirit we're trying to build. Maya's goal could be a season-defining moment for us," Greg Vanney reflected with evident pride in his Galaxy squad.

"Scoring twice is always satisfying, but leaving with just one point when we had control of the match is disappointing. We need to manage these situations better, especially in derby matches where emotions run high," commented Denis Bouanga, who continued his impressive scoring form for LAFC.

"That might be the latest goal I've ever scored in my career, and certainly the most meaningful one since joining Galaxy. When I saw Cuevas' cross coming in, I just knew I had to get something on it. The eruption from our traveling supporters when it hit the net was incredible," said Maya Yoshida after his dramatic equalizer.

"El Tráfico continues to deliver the most consistently entertaining matches in MLS. The league couldn't ask for a better showcase of the passion and quality that exists in American soccer right now," noted Taylor Twellman, former USMNT striker and current analyst, following the six-goal thriller.

"What we witnessed tonight exemplifies why derby matches are special. Form and standings become irrelevant when these two Los Angeles teams face each other," explained Alexi Lalas, who praised both teams' attacking intent throughout the contest.

Possession: LAFC dominated the ball with 59% possession compared to Galaxy's 41%, reflecting their more controlled approach throughout much of the contest.

Shots: The attacking intent from both sides was evident with LAFC registering 18 total shots (9 on target) against Galaxy's 12 shots (7 on target), demonstrating Galaxy's clinical efficiency despite fewer opportunities.

Corners: LAFC forced 8 corner kicks while Galaxy earned 5, with Yoshida's equalizer coming from Galaxy's final set-piece opportunity.

Cards: The intensity of the derby showed in the disciplinary record, with LAFC collecting 4 yellow cards and 1 red (Segura 90+1'), while Galaxy received 3 yellows. The total of 8 cards highlights the competitive nature of El Tráfico.

Individual Brilliance: Denis Bouanga continued his remarkable form for LAFC, taking his season tally to 13 goals with his brace. His 5 goals in 4 matches make him the hottest striker in MLS currently. Meanwhile, Galaxy's Gabriel Pec was equally impressive, contributing directly to all three Galaxy goals (2 goals, 1 assist).

Passing: LAFC completed 487 passes at 85% accuracy compared to Galaxy's 339 at 79%, illustrating LAFC's technical superiority throughout the match.

Key Contributors: Beyond the goalscorers, Javairo Dilrosun created 4 chances for LAFC while Marco Reus continued his impressive MLS adaptation with another assist, bringing his recent record to 13 goal contributions in his last 14 matches for Galaxy.

Defensive Work: Despite conceding three goals, Hugo Lloris made 4 crucial saves for LAFC, while Galaxy's defensive resilience was exemplified by their 26 clearances compared to LAFC's 11, highlighting their rear-guard action for significant periods.

26' - GOAL (1-0): Denis Bouanga broke the deadlock for LAFC with a spectacular curling effort from the edge of the box after Nathan Ordaz's clever cutback. The finish gave Galaxy keeper Micović absolutely no chance as it nestled perfectly in the top corner.

31' - GOAL (2-0): LAFC doubled their advantage when Javairo Dilrosun finished a flowing team move involving Timmy Tillman and Ryan Hollingshead. The Dutch winger's composed finish suggested LAFC might run away with the derby.

36' - GOAL (2-1): Galaxy were handed a lifeline when referee awarded a penalty after Maya Yoshida was pulled down during a corner. Gabriel Pec stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick, sending Lloris the wrong way to halve the deficit.

67' - GOAL (3-1): Bouanga restored LAFC's two-goal cushion with his second of the night, pouncing on a defensive miscommunication between Aude and Yoshida before rounding Micović and slotting home. Steve Cherundolo's tactical adjustment to move Bouanga more central after the break paid immediate dividends.

79' - GOAL (3-2): Galaxy responded again when Gabriel Pec scored his second, finishing off a brilliant counter-attack orchestrated by Marco Reus. The German veteran's precise through ball split LAFC's defense perfectly, allowing Pec to finish with confidence.

90+1' - RED CARD: The match took another dramatic turn when LAFC defender Eddie Segura received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Matheus Nascimento, leaving the hosts to defend their lead with ten men for the six remaining minutes of stoppage time.

90+7' - GOAL (3-3): With virtually the last action of the match, Maya Yoshida rose highest to head home Mauricio Cuevas' pinpoint cross, sparking wild celebrations in the Galaxy section. At 96:53, it registered as the latest goal ever scored in El Tráfico history.

The 26th edition of El Tráfico maintained the rivalry's reputation for producing high-scoring, dramatic encounters, with the 3-3 scoreline lifting the all-time goals-per-game average to an impressive 4.3. This result preserves LA Galaxy's slight historical edge in the matchup, with the all-time record now standing at 10 wins for Galaxy, 9 for LAFC, and 7 draws.

This marks the second consecutive draw between these fierce Los Angeles rivals in 2025, following their 2-2 stalemate in May. Despite the significant gap between them in the MLS standings, Galaxy have now gone unbeaten against LAFC this season, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of derby matches.

The individual battle between Denis Bouanga and Gabriel Pec provided a fascinating subplot, with both attackers netting braces. Bouanga has now scored in three consecutive El Tráfico matches, becoming just the second player after Zlatan Ibrahimović to achieve this feat.

Marco Reus' influence for Galaxy continues to grow in his debut MLS season, with the German's vision and passing range causing problems throughout the evening. His tactical duel with LAFC's Timmy Tillman in midfield was particularly engaging, with both players showcasing their technical abilities despite the match's physical nature.

The late defensive collapse from LAFC following Segura's dismissal will concern coach Cherundolo, especially as it continues a worrying pattern from recent derbies where they've conceded late goals. Conversely, Galaxy's ability to twice come from behind demonstrates a mental resilience that has been lacking in their disappointing league campaign.

Maya Yoshida's 97th-minute equalizer adds another memorable moment to this young but already storied rivalry, joining the pantheon of dramatic late goals that includes Zlatan's debut wonder strike and Carlos Vela's last-minute winner in 2019.

Following this dramatic draw, Los Angeles FC maintain their solid position in the Western Conference, sitting in 4th place with a record of 10-5-6 (36 points). Steve Cherundolo's men remain well-positioned for a playoff berth, though they'll be disappointed not to have capitalized on this opportunity to close the gap on conference leaders Seattle Sounders.

The point keeps LAFC's impressive home record intact, having lost just once at BMO Stadium this season. With 13 games remaining in their regular season campaign, LAFC appear on track to secure a playoff spot, though their recent tendency to concede late goals (5 points dropped from winning positions in their last 6 matches) could ultimately cost them a higher seed.

Meanwhile, LA Galaxy continue to occupy 21st position in the overall MLS standings with a dismal record of 3-14-7 (16 points). Despite their position near the bottom of the table, this resilient performance against their high-flying city rivals offers a glimmer of hope for Greg Vanney's squad.

The Galaxy now face an uphill battle to salvage their season, sitting 13 points adrift of the final playoff spot with 10 matches remaining. While mathematically still possible, their focus may shift toward building momentum for next season unless they can string together an unprecedented winning run in the coming weeks.

This result maintains the historical competitiveness of El Tráfico regardless of the teams' respective league positions, with Galaxy demonstrating that form truly does go out the window in derby matches.