In just two years and a handful of matches, the LA derby between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club has quickly become one of the most compelling soccer rivalries in the world.
The Galaxy have the most recent bragging rights after their 3-0 triumph over LAFC on Sept. 6. That made it two straight wins for the five-time MLS Cup champions, but LAFC made a statement before that in emphatic fashion with a resounding 6-2 victory at the MLS is Back Tournament.
“It’s their World Cup final playing us,” LAFC's Mark-Anthony Kaye said after that match. “I don’t know what they’re fueled off of at this point. I don’t know how they train, I don’t know what their ideas are. Yes, I think their coach is a good coach. He’s proven it with other teams, but it’s like they need that physical battle. If they win that physical battle they feel like they’ll win the game and you can’t do that all the time. In the MLS you’re not going to be up for a game all the time like that. I just don’t know, I really don’t know.”
With the sides set to square off again on Sunday (3:30 pm ET | ABC in US; TSN2 in Canada), here's a look back at the brief but compelling history of one of the league's most contentious derby matchups.
"El Trafico"
LAFC joined MLS as an expansion team for the 2018 season and before the first derby match against the Galaxy, the fans coined the nickname "El Trafico." It was a play on "El Clasico" and a nod to the gridlock that's commonplace on Los Angeles roadways.
For the full story behind the rivalry, watch "Birth of a Rivalry" (Part 1 & Part 2).
Memorable Moments
MLS is Back rout (July 18, 2020): During the most unusual 2020 season, the LA clubs clashed in Orlando for the MLS is Back Tournament. Diego Rossi scored four goals, while Bradley Wright-Phillips and Mohamed El-Munir each tallied in the 6-2 dismantling. But the game lacked some luster, as Mexican superstars Carlos Vela and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez were both absent.
LAFC knock out Galaxy(October 25, 2019): It was an electric, high-scoring, see-saw battle that lived up to all the hype as the No. 1-seeded LAFC hosted the No. 5 seed LA Galaxy in the first-ever playoff meeting between the two: a single-elimination knockout round match at Banc of California Stadium. Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both scored – nothing new there – but it was LAFC who came out on top 5-3 in what proved to be the final game in a Galaxy jersey for Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan's Debut (March 31, 2018): Years later, you will probably still remember where you were when Zlatan scored THAT goal on his MLS debut ... in the first-ever El Trafico, no less. He told the story of the wild 48 hours before that substitute appearance that set the tone for his show-stopping MLS career.
Zlatan vs. Vela (July 19, 2019): It was a week of barbs being traded between the two biggest stars in LA. First Vela was quoted as saying that he was the better player in the moment. Then Zlatan set the record straight that he was superior (watch the exchanges below):
Then the field rendered its verdict after a spicy pregame interview: It was Zlatan 3, Vela 2. It was also the final result.
MLS Regular Season
The two teams have met on eight occasions during the MLS regular season and the Galaxy hold a 4W-1L-3D edge.
What's more: When these two teams come together, goals are guaranteed. There have only been two shutouts in eight all-time meetings:
LA Galaxy 4, LAFC 3(March 31, 2018 | HIGHLIGHTS): In one of the greatest matches in MLS history, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut in the first-ever El Trafico, coming off the bench to score two goals, including one of the greatest finishes you'll ever see.
LAFC 2, LA Galaxy 2 (July 26, 2018 | HIGHLIGHTS): The Galaxy fought back after going down 2-0 on the road, equalizing with just four minutes remaining.
LA Galaxy 1, LAFC 1(Aug. 24, 2018 | HIGHLIGHTS): Zlatan gave the Galaxy a first-half lead and Vela leveled on a penalty kick in the second half.
LA Galaxy 3, LAFC 2(July 19, 2019 | HIGHLIGHTS): After a controversial lead-up after comments both players made to the media, this game proved the ultimate showdown between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela with the LA Galaxy star coming out on top with an epic hat trick.
LAFC 3, LA Galaxy 3 (Aug. 25, 2019 | HIGHLIGHTS): The LA Galaxy took a 3-1 lead inside the first 15 minutes, only for Carlos Vela and LAFC to equalize in the second half.
LAFC 6, LA Galaxy 2(July 18, 2020 | HIGHLIGHTS): In the most-lopsided El Trafico to date, LAFC made a resounding statement at the MLS is Back Tournament. Both sides were missing stars, but Diego Rossi stole the show with four goals.
LA Galaxy 2, LAFC 0(Aug. 22, 2020 | HIGHLIGHTS): Giving their past meeting, LAFC were heavy favorites when play resumed in August. But goals from Ethan Zubak and Sebastian Lletget on either side of halftime, coupled with an MCL sprain for Carlos Vela, sealed this one.
LA Galaxy 3, LAFC 0(Sept. 6, 2020 | HIGHLIGHTS): A three-goal blitz in the second half gave the Galaxy their second straight El Trafico win, with midfielder Sebastian Lletget tallying twice after a Cristian Pavon opener. LA managed only five shots on target, so they displayed ruthless efficiency.
MLS Cup Playoffs
The first and only postseason matchup to date came in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinal – a single-game knockout match played at Banc of California Stadium. Both teams raised the intensity in a 5-3 LAFC win, their first in the series across all competitions.
Best Goals
As it stands, the Galaxy hold a 4W-2L-3D edge across all competitions. The rivals have scored a combined 45 goals, averaging out to five goals per game. Check out the best ones below.
