Attempting to extend a series-long win streak against the Galaxy, the Los Angeles Football Club visits Carson on Saturday with more than pride on the line.
Following a pair of 2-1 victories earlier this season over the first-place Galaxy, LAFC can make it four straight happy days for their supporters dating to last year, the most by either side of the El Trafico derby.
Taking all the points in their three MLS regular-season meetings this year would put LAFC in a great spot to win the Western Conference: a point back with two games in hand on the Galaxy.
“Time is running out, right, so these games and three points are ever important,” LAFC defender Aaron Long said. “You’re getting three points for yourself but you’re also taking three points away from the other team. There’s only so many points left on the table, so a huge game.”
Technically the Galaxy have lost once on home soil in 2024 — that came against LAFC at the Rose Bowl — but the revamped five-time champs are 11-0-3 at Dignity Health Sports Park, site of Saturday’s clash.
“What you take away from beating your rival is really important,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, who agreed with opposing coach Greg Vanney on the spoils of the last scheduled El Trafico of the year.
“I’m not sure putting the added pressure of the standings helps, but it’s the reality of the situation,” Cherundolo said.
During the previous two seasons, the two sides split their eight meetings. Twice this year, however, LAFC’s tactical discipline reigned over the Galaxy’s offensive firepower and strong midfield play.
“Their strengths are extremely hard to defend, but I think we have a good scheme in order to defend those,” Cherundolo said. “And then our strengths match up well with their weaknesses. That only comes to play if the plan is implemented well and the players stay disciplined and if we have a good day.
“There’s going to be 22 excellent players on the field starting the match and plenty of good players on both benches. There aren’t a lot of differences in quality, so the team who sticks together and sticks to the plan for the longest amount of time, I believe, comes away with three points.”
Since losing to San Jose at Levi’s Stadium in early May, LAFC has flipped an 0-4-1 away record, going 5-0-2 outside of Exposition Park.
While the Galaxy enjoyed a two-week break, LAFC played to a draw last weekend making up for a postponed match in Houston due to Hurricane Beryl.
Hugo Lloris’s MLS-leading 10th clean sheet lifted LAFC’s unbeaten streak on the road to seven, and his good friend, striker Olivier Giroud, played 90 minutes for the first time since departing Milan for L.A.
While the Galaxy must contend with Giroud for the first time, LAFC will be occupied with recently signed German Marco Reus, whose ability to link up with other midfielders, work underneath and get behind defenders only boosts the host’s threat level.
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After missing six players last weekend because of international duty, as well as center back Jesus Murillo with a knee sprain that will keep him sidelined for several more matches, LAFC reassembled for training late this week, energized by the chance to jump into a derby.
“I think we are focused on ourselves,” said Mateusz Bogusz, who gained confidence during his first call-up for Poland, debuting against Croatia last Sunday alongside the likes of Robert Lewandowski.
“We know what the Galaxy can do. They can play good in the middle. They like small combination game. So we’re trying to cut this way of playing, but the most important is our team and our idea of how we play.”
LAFC at GALAXY
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
TV/radio: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, ESPN LA App, 980 AM