2020 MLS is Back Tournament – Group F, Matchday 11
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Sat., July 18 – 10:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN4, TVA Sports in Canada
STREAMING: ESPN App in USA; TSN App in Canada
In what is arguably one of the most anticipated MLS is Back Tournament group stage matchups, El Trafico comes to Orlando as rivals LAFC and LA Galaxy meet in Group F.
Both teams will also be desperate for three points after both failed to win their opening match. The LA Galaxy lost to group leaders Portland Timbers 2-1, while LAFC were forced to rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Houston Dynamo 3-3.
This is the first meeting between the derby combatants since the epic 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs showdown, won by LAFC, 5-3. Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande struck for a brace apiece in LAFC's first win over the Galaxy in six chapters of the rivalry.
- Chicharito: Vela absence for LAFC an advantage for Galaxy
- LAFC's Kaye: LA is our city, Galaxy are a little fearful
- Boehm: Chicharito's big chance to change the narrative vs. LAFC
- LA Galaxy academy product Cameron Dunbar impresses in MLS debut
LAFC
In their first tournament match without league MVP Carlos Vela, LAFC showed they will have no problem scoring goals. MLS legend Bradley Wright-Phillips found the back of the net in his first appearance for the club, but the defending Supporters' Shield holders conceded three goals and were down 3-1 at halftime. But the club's two Uruguayan attackers, Brian Rodriguez and Diego Rossi, came through with goals in the second half to secure a point.
LAFC already know they'll be playing without Vela for the duration of the tournament, but they might be without another leading attacker in forward Adama Diomande, who is questionable with a right foot injury. The Norwegian had eight goals and seven assists in 25 games last season.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Adrian Perez (F) - right hamstring strain
- QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Silva (D) - right hamstring strain
- QUESTIONABLE: Adama Diomande (F) - right foot injury
- UNAVAILABLE: Carlos Vela (F)
- Suspended: Dario Zuparic (D)
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
LA Galaxy
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez failed to convert an early penalty against the Portland Timbers and it seemed to weigh on the Galaxy, who went down 2-0 in their group opener. Chicharito, however, redeemed himself toward the end of the match, finally scoring his first MLS goal on a patented near-post run and he helped the team push for an equalizer that never came.
Ahead of this rivalry clash with LAFC, the Galaxy remain without the services of standout midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, who was ruled out for the tournament with a groin injury in the days leading up the Group Stage kickoff.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jonathan dos Santos (F) - groin injury
- OUT: Danilo Acosta (D) - ACL injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Kai Koreniuk (M) - hamstring injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- LAFC: 0 wins, 11 goals
- Galaxy: 2 wins, 13 goals
- 3 draws
Officials
- Referee: Allen Chapman
- Assistant Referees: Jason White, Andrew Bigelow
- 4th Official: Ramy Touchan
- VAR: David Gantar
Jerseys
