Los Angeles Football Club vs. LA Galaxy | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 20
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles
October 25 – 3:30 PM ET

TV: ABC, TSN2

Every meeting in the brief, but fierce derby known as El Trafico, has been must-watch television and the fourth showdown between LAFC and the LA Galaxy Sunday at Banc of California Stadium is no different. 

LAFC are seeking to avenge back-to-back losses to the Galaxy, including a 2-0 defeat at the Banc on August 22 in which Bob Bradley said his team was "terrible." More than bragging rights, the Galaxy need three points in order to climb out of last place in the Western Conference and have a shot at a playoff berth. 

LAFC (7W-7L-4D) are fourth in the West and are coming off a late rally to earn a draw against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park Sunday. The Galaxy (5W-9L-3D) snapped a six-match losing streak, and perhaps got coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto off the hot seat, with a dramatic 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Dignity Heath Sports Park Sunday. 

LAFC

With Carlos Vela still injured and Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez in quarantine after Conmebol World Cup qualifiers, LAFC turned to 16-year-old Christian Torres to provide the heroics Sunday night. His first MLS goal was the equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time as LAFC earned a share of the points with the Timbers Sunday night. 

"He’s got a good sense of timing," Bradley said after the match. "He’s a good finisher. I thought he took this chance really well and it’s a proud moment to see a young player that has come through the academy score his first goal and score it at a time when we really needed it."

LAFC might have forward Carlos Vela back at an opportune time, with Bradley noting on Friday the reigning MVP is progressing well from his MCL tear. He's missed LAFC's last 11 games.

Further, defender Tristan Blackmon might also be available for selection and four key players from South America are back in the mix. Chief among them? Golden Boot leader Diego Rossi, who was recently with Brian Rodriguez for Uruguay's World Cup qualifiers. 

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Mark-Anthony Kaye (M) - ankle injury
  • OUT: Andy Najar (D) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Jordan Harvey (D)
• International duty:  None

LA Galaxy

It wasn't Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Sebastian Lletget, Yony Gonzalez or even Cristian Pavon, although he provided the crucial cross. It was Kai Koreniuk who scored the stoppage time winner Sunday night, his first MLS goal (in a three-minute substitute appearance no less) allowing the Galaxy to claim three vital points Sunday night. 

“I know how soccer is and I know how the media is in situations like the ones we’ve had to experience recently,” Schelotto told media in Spanish during his postgame press conference. “It’s soccer and I understand it. I have nothing to say. We know what we’re doing. We have a number of young players who we’re playing … All of us have to understand the moment we’re experiencing and the year we’re living through — that it’s a shortened season and that we’re playing every three days and all that. Obviously, we have to think about the future, but I’m 100 percent calm and working day by day to give my best and to be able to have a great rest of the year.”

The Galaxy will have some reinforcements for Sunday's El Trafico, as midfielder Jonathan dos Santos and defender Rolf Feltscher are both back in contention after international duty and the required quarantine. 

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Acosta (M) - ACL injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Joe Corona (M) - ankle injury
• Suspended: Perry Kitchen (M)
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

Series Matchup at LAFC

• LAFC: 0 wins, 5 goals
• Galaxy: 1 win, 7 goals
• 2 draws

Officials

• Referee: Kevin Stott
• Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Jason White
• 4th Official: Timothy Ford
• VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.