2023 El Trafico Round 2: Galaxy win historic match at the Rose Bowl.
It was the perfect night for MLS in general and the Los Angeles Galaxy in particular.
In a match that was originally scheduled to be played on opening week, but was instead delayed due to inclement weather, it turned out to be well worth the wait. An MLS record 82,110 in attendance turned out to the Rose Bowl for the second regular season matchup between Los Angeles rivals the Galaxy and LAFC.
In the end, it was the Galaxy who successfully defended its old home turf. Goals from Tyler Boyd in the first half, and Riqui Puig in the second half canceled out LAFC’s goal from Ilie Sanchez, and the Galaxy prevented its crosstown rivals from upstaging them in its showcase match by getting the 2-1 win over LAFC in Pasadena.
“It was an exciting, just the atmosphere to be honest,” LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “For me, personally, to be back in the Rose Bowl. To see it full. To take a second and realize just how far this league has come since we kicked it off in ’96, to where it is now. The level of the two teams. The competition tonight. Quality of players on the field. All of it. It was just an incredible venue. Incredible atmosphere. And, a wonderful game that I think entertained. As these games always do.”
The win meant a huge three points for the Galaxy. After drawing in four straight matches, with two of those draws coming in situations where its opponent scored late goals to snatch points away from them, the Galaxy were finally able to hold on late in the match, and once again showed in this rivalry that despite the large gap in the standings between the two sides, you really do throw out the stats and records in the El Trafico rivalry.
“I think the things you say about the Galaxy it is what you say it is a team with a lot of history here and this jersey has some weight to it whether you are wearing it or you’re playing against it,” Galaxy midfielder Gaston Brugman said. “Tonight’s atmosphere was amazing, the event was so enjoyable on the field and I think the fans in the stands enjoyed it as well and I think the best team won today and I’m very happy for that win.”
Tied at a goal apiece, the Galaxy got a second breakthrough in the 73rd minute. The Galaxy broke out on a counterattack, Douglas Costa sprung Tyler Boyd down the left side of the pitch with a perfectly weighted ball. Boyd slowly guided the ball forward, then crossed into the penalty area, and Puig touched a ball just outside the six-yard box that got past keeper John McCarthy at the far post to put the Galaxy back ahead. LAFC had several chances to become the third team in five matches to steal points from the Galaxy, with the first chance actually going into the back of the net courtesy of Vela, but that goal was called back, as Vela was offside when Jose Cifuentes passed him the ball. Denis Bouanga had two chances himself, but a shot inside the penalty area hit the side netting, and the second chance, which may have been his best chance, came when Stipe Biuk sent a cross over the six-yard box, and with Klinsmann scrambling to cover the spot, Bouanga had a sightline and sent a header towards goal, but instead sent a ball over goal.
It was the Galaxy that got its fans going in the 26th minute. Boyd held the ball at the upper left corner of the penalty area, Boyd then took the right footed shot and it was perfect, as the ball curled past keeper John McCarthy and into the far post net to put the Galaxy ahead. The Galaxy took the lead into halftime, but LAFC eventually had its say. Carlos Vela sent a free kick into the penalty area, Denis Bouanga flicked a header towards goal, but keeper Jonathan Klinsmann, who had replaced Jonathan Bond at the start of the second half, got his hands on the ball and parried the shot over the end line, conceding the corner. This time, LAFC cashed in, as Vela sent the corner into the penalty area and Sanchez headed a ball out of Klinsmann’s reach.
Photo courtesy of LAFC.
Both teams came out firing, looking to provide the sellout crowd at the Rose Bowl a treat. LAFC got the game’s first chance just two minutes in, as Sanchez lobbed a ball over the Galaxy defense, Bouanga outraced Galaxy right back Lucas Calegari to the ball, then one-timed the left-footed shot at goal, but Bond parried the ball away. A minute later, the Galaxy had its first shot, as Marky Delgado took advantage of the space provided to him on the right side, Delgado took the shot, but it just sailed over goal. The chances kept coming early in the match. Puig got on the end of a cross in the eighth minute, but could not finish the chance, then in the 16th minute, Vela played a ball into the penalty area, Bouanga timed his run and snuck in behind Lucas Calegari and quickly one-timed a shot on goal, but Bond again made the save.