Written By: Wendy Pintor
The Dignity Health Sport’s Center was well over full this Sunday for the match between home team LA Galaxy and neighbor LAFC this match marks the 18th edition of El Tráfico across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-5-5.
Notably, the Galaxy is unbeaten in eight matches played across all competitions at home against LAFC (6-0-2, 19 GF, 10 GA). In four matches played across all competitions between the Galaxy and LAFC during the 2022 campaign, the series was tied 2-2-0.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has tallied two goals and two assists in four career regular-season matches played against LAFC. In six career matches played (2 starts) across all competitions against LAFC, Dejan Joveljić has recorded four goals.
Although statistics played a big factor for LA Galaxy they just weren’t enough for them to obtain today’s victory losing at home for the first time against local rival LAFC 2-3.
Predictions for this match were more towards LAFC which left LA Galaxy as the underdog of the match, LA Galaxy fans predicted right and If it wasn’t any truer they came short once more leaving them in 13th place in the league’s Western Conference bracket.
An alternative reason as to if Javier “Chicharito” should have started rumored, whether starting him or not today was the right choice for the team it was, says coach, Greg Vianney. “He brings the club joy as soon as his presence is around.” He played well the team played well there’s no doubt we can’t move up from this one loss today.” As tough as it is to lose to our biggest rival it’s not the end of the road for us here.”
The team and staff were optimistic about today’s results and they continue to believe that there still is an opportunity to close with making to it the playoffs this season.
“Thank you to those of you who came and supported and cheered for us today, we lost today and although it wasn’t satisfying, we learned from it, to most of us it wasn’t a win, but we played all together really well, from our youngest to our newest members of the team. We fell short for our own mistakes but they’re points we can only work toward fixing”, said a grateful Chicharito Hernández.
They were able to attempt to come back during the half time tying the game 1-1 goal by Tyler Boyd, who also booked his first LA derby, he gave the team life back from the horrible misfortunes that would be following the team shortly after.
LA Galaxy Overwhemled, the fans quiet but on there toes during the entire match, cheering their team In the last few minutes pushing high to get in the box and score the tying goals, getting saved at least a few times in the last minutes of the game and falling short at the end
With lonely Riqui Puig in the midfield, taking players and taking on every hit, he was able to get through and move the ball across the field fast between LAFC and creating diversion and place to have the position of the ball to try and tie the game.
Defensively LA Galaxy finally delivered and reminded everyone that they are here they just needed a little shake on the head to steer the right way again and who else than their respected rival to remind themselves that they are and will remain legends if they have it they’re all the rest of the season at the Sports Dignity Center.
Mistakes led to goals but will led to potential. Added Chicharito to end his interview
“Devastated. I would have wished to of been a victory and a goal, although the goal did bring us back going into half time I would have liked it more of gone in. The team is coming back together and we have the belief that we finish the league strong“, midfielder Tyler Boyd said to the media post-game.
Both teams remain hungry for more this year, today LA Galaxy is happy to leave it all on the field but not satisfied wanting more for this season to come.
The speciation of 25,000 plus people in the stadium for the MLS league. The league should be excited that these two teams bring them to grow and expand the future of this season’s local teams as they continue to grow.
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