Red-hot LAFC ready for the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl
With the rivals tied atop the Western Conference, the Black & Gold haven’t lost in 11 consecutive games going into Thursday’s ‘El Trafico’ in Pasadena.
Unmoved by the chance to make a statement against the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on the Fourth of July, the Los Angeles Football Club enters and expects to exit the derby on firm footing.
“We are very clear of what we are capable of,” said LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, “and we’re just going to follow our path no matter what happens on Thursday.”
“Honestly, I do feel that they are the ones looking for that statement more than us,” the 33-year-old Spaniard added. “We’re not looking for that at all. I think it’s a game that definitely comes in an important part of the season when both teams are looking sharp, but I would say that if we win the game that can hurt them more than if they do win the game how that will affect us.”
Seeking to extend its club record unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions, and 10 in a row in MLS since the start of May, LAFC elevated to the top of the West with a 4-0-1 June.
Outscoring MLS opponents 22-4 over that stretch, LAFC (12-4-4) is tied at 40 points with its resurgent rival, the five-time MLS champions who have lost only once in their last 11 league appearances, winning six of their last seven.
“I think that’s how everybody drew it up,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “It’s more exciting towards the end of the season and in the playoffs, even better, but for right now it’s great.”
Playing at the Rose Bowl again following last year’s record-setting event – 82,110 fans, the largest crowd in MLS history, saw Galaxy star Riqui Puig nab the game-winning goal – was actually LAFC’s call.
Since the Galaxy (11-3-7) hosted in 2023, LAFC had the prerogative this time. During discussions with MLS and the Galaxy, the parties kicked around the idea of playing the match at the Coliseum or SoFi Stadium. In the end, they agreed on a Rose Bowl redux.
“It’s a really special game,” said LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga, one of four MLS players with 20 or more goal involvements this season, which propelled him to a second straight All-Star nod. “First, it’s on the Fourth of July, so we know it’s important for the USA. It’s also a game away, but we know there’s going to be a lot, a lot of ambience. I can’t wait.
“We know we lost last time, but this time we’re ready to win and we can keep up on the good way that we started the first part of the season.”
LAFC’s hefty schedule in July features a handful of MLS matches, a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal and a pair of Leagues Cup group stage games to round out the slate.
“We cannot stop at this moment of the season,” said LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was selected to join Bouanga in Columbus, Ohio, later this month as an MLS All-Star. “We need to go. I believe July is really important for the team because we’re going to face big opponents and it’s going to start against the Galaxy.”
Six of their eight dates, including the Independence Day match in Pasadena, will keep LAFC players and coaches sleeping in their own beds for most of the next few weeks.
Other than trips to Houston on Sunday and Seattle on July 20, the busy but favorable calendar gives LAFC an opportunity to solidify itself as Supporters’ Shield contenders and the preeminent team in the Western Conference.
This comes with the realization that, in spite of the intensity and expectations surrounding the “El Trafico” rivalry, from a standings perspective Thursday’s game is worth as much as any league contest.
What would a second victory this year over the Galaxy signify following LAFC’s 2-1 triumph at BMO Stadium in April?
Cherundolo suggested the season isn’t close enough to the end for it to matter more than maybe a little.
“Yes, it’s a derby,” Cherundolo said, “but there are points on the line now almost every three days, so we have to make sure that we are consistent in the way that we gather points, whether that’s away or home against the Galaxy or Houston or what have you, but we have our eyes on both.”
LAFC VS. GALAXY
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/radio: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, 980 AM, SiriusXM FC