Wild Night in LA, El Trafico Ends With a Draw, 3-3

A wild El Trafico between the LAFC and the Los Angeles Galaxy eventually ended with a draw, 3-3. But the way it started, the fans at the Banc of California Stadium expected to see at least a few more goals on both sides.

Galaxy had a 1-3 lead at one moment, yet the hosts managed to get away from an inevitable loss, coming back and staying undefeated at home. They did dominate in the second half, but were unable to score one more goal and completely turn the table.

Meanwhile, Galaxy was rampant in the opening 15 minutes scoring three times. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had once again shown that he comes out on the pitch very inspired when facing Carlos Vela. The Swedish striker netted twice, breaking the lock of LAFC’s goal after just a minute and forty-six seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfQ86kddYg

Ibrahimovic admitted that his team lost the pace in the second half, and apologized to all the fans because of that.

“We were good in the first 45 minutes, but in the second half, we were tired and made simple mistakes… I was tired, I’m sorry.”

According to Ibrahimovic, the decisive moment for his team was the second goal allowed, just before the end of the first half. Latif Blessing, LAFC’s striker who also scored two goals today, managed to reach one deflection off the LA Galaxy’s defender and hit the back of the net in the stoppage time. Instead of heading for the break with a two-goal edge, Galaxy was up just one.

“Things happen, simple mistakes, and you pay for it,” said Zlatan.

"We were good in the first 45 minutes but in the second half we were tired and made simple mistakes… I was tired, I'm sorry."@Katie_Witham talks with Zlatan after tonight's #ElTrafico battle ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5gBcBBJxHW

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 26, 2019

As we said, Ibrahimovic took his team off to a flying start with a goal in the second minute, but 10 minutes later, Blessing would level the score.

Then came a one-two punch of the guests, who beat goalie Tyler Miller twice in just two minutes. It was Ibrahimovic in the 15th minute, before Cristian Pavon who scored 60 seconds after that.

Carlos Vela posted his 27th goal of the season in the 53rd minute, and things were starting to go in LAFC’s favor. But that suddenly changed, when the Mexican had to go out because of his hamstring injury. Although he wanted to stay on the pitch, and was a bit disappointed because of the substitute, coach Bob Bradley didn’t want even to consider leaving him on the field.

MVP favorite Carlos Vela is absolutely LIVID after being pulled from the #LAFCvLA game.

He scored in the 53rd min. to make it 3-3, his 27th of the year, and was pulled 7 min. later.

Here he is cursing his way off the field and ripping his captain band off in disgust. #ElTrafico pic.twitter.com/2teat5dEgc

— Manouk Akopyan (@ManoukAkopyan) August 26, 2019

“Not going to take a bigger risk,” said Bradley who is aware that Vela’s presence in the playoffs will mean everything for his side. “He wanted to stay but I made a decision that I felt was right for us.”

The player’s frustration might have been caused by the fact that he still didn’t beat Ibrahimovic and Galaxy, for the fifth straight clash.

There is a huge possibility for these two sides to meet in the playoffs, which is a very exciting idea for Bradley. The experienced coach believes that such a situation would be fantastic for the city of Los Angeles.

“Yeah. It’s good because it’s two teams in LA. Two different ideas.”

Bob Bradley dijo que no ganarle al Galaxy es fastidioso. #LAFCvLA #LAFCvGAL pic.twitter.com/5CSG4Sbp6G

— Jad El Reda (@jadelreda) August 26, 2019

Right now, LAFC is ruling the Western Conference with 62 points in 27 games. They are 19 points ahead of the next on the list. On the other side, the LA Galaxy is in an interesting situation. They have 42 points and are tied fifth. The second in the standings Real Salt Lake has 43, while seventh FC Dallas has 40.

That practically means that each point they take is of the vital importance to them, as it affects their playoff picture. Their next game could be decisive on for the playoff battle, as Galaxy heads for Seattle to meet with Sounders who are one place in front of them.

LAFC hosts Minnesota United at home.