EL TRÁFICO RETURNS: GALAXY VS LAFC ON RIVALRY WEEK
MATCH PREVIEW: LAFC VS. LA GALAXY
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Kickoff: 6:00 PM PST
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Competition: Major League Soccer (Western Conference)
@lagalaxy
OVERVIEW
The battle for Los Angeles takes center stage this Sunday as El Tráfico returns with another high-stakes clash between LA Galaxy and LAFC. With pride, momentum, and city bragging rights on the line, this matchup headlines MLS Rivalry Week and promises to deliver another unforgettable night in Carson.
@lagalaxy
GALAXY: A SEASON ON THE BRINK
After lifting the MLS Cup just months ago, LA Galaxy’s 2025 season has gone off the rails. Winless in their first 12 games (0-3-9), the team sits at the bottom of the Western Conference. Frustration is mounting among fans, and the pressure is squarely on head coach Greg Vanney.
But there's a silver lining heading into Sunday: Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil are both expected to be available, adding speed and creativity to an attack that has struggled for rhythm. The team will also look to Christian Ramirez up top—an experienced MLS striker who has become a focal point in the Galaxy’s efforts to regain their form. Ramirez’s positioning and leadership could be crucial in a game where every chance will matter.
Despite their struggles, the Galaxy came close in recent matches, including a 3-2 road loss to the Philadelphia Union. Now, at home, they’ll look to feed off the rivalry energy and finally get their first win of the year—against the one team it would mean most to beat.
@jhvizualz
LAFC: FLYING INTO FORM
In contrast, LAFC is hitting stride at just the right time. Unbeaten in their last six matches, the Black & Gold are coming off a dominant 4-0 win over Seattle, showcasing sharp finishing and disciplined defending.
Led by Steve Cherundolo, LAFC is clicking across the field. One of the most exciting developments has been the rise of Nathan Ordaz—a young attacker who has impressed with his energy, versatility, and nose for goal. The 21-year-old is gaining confidence and could play a key role in Sunday’s derby, especially if LAFC needs a spark off the bench or a surprise start.
With veteran leadership from Hugo Lloris in goal and offensive firepower led by Denis Bouanga, LAFC looks poised to continue its surge. They’re also preparing for a massive Club World Cup play-in match against Club América at the end of the month—but first, they want to make sure Los Angeles still runs Black & Gold.
@rm_photosss
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA GALAXY
Gabriel Pec – Quick, technical, and aggressive down the left wing.
Joseph Paintsil – Brings explosive pace and can break open the game in transition.
Christian Ramirez – A veteran forward who provides finishing, hold-up play, and calm under pressure.
LAFC
Denis Bouanga – One of the most lethal scorers in the league; always a threat from wide or central positions.
Nathan Ordaz – A rising homegrown talent bringing youth energy and big-game hunger.
Hugo Lloris – The former World Cup winner brings top-level composure and shot-stopping ability.
@rm_photosss
HEAD-TO-HEAD: EL TRÁFICO CHAOS
Total Matches: 24
Galaxy Wins: 10
LAFC Wins: 8
Draws: 6
Goals per Game: Over 4.3
These matchups never lack excitement. Their most recent meeting ended in a wild 4-2 Galaxy comeback win at BMO Stadium in 2024. Regardless of form, El Tráfico always delivers.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
For LA Galaxy, this is more than a rivalry match—it’s a potential season-saver. A win could restore belief and ease pressure. For LAFC, it’s a chance to continue their unbeaten streak, prove city dominance, and stay sharp ahead of continental play.
@rm_photosss
FINAL WORD
This is more than a game—this is El Tráfico. The energy, the noise, the moments that define careers. Whether it’s a veteran like Ramirez rising to the occasion or a young star like Ordaz making his mark, the city will be watching—and divided—for 90 chaotic minutes.
El Tráfico: The Best Moments in LA’s Fiercest Rivalry
Few rivalries in Major League Soccer have captured attention quite like El Tráfico—the high-octane showdown between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). More than just a derby, El Tráfico is a clash of identity, pride, and dominance in the heart of Los Angeles. Since LAFC’s entry into MLS in 2018, these games have produced unforgettable drama, world-class goals, and the kind of atmosphere usually reserved for the world’s biggest football stages.
Here's a look at the best El Tráfico moments, and why this rivalry means so much to both clubs and their fans.
@MLS
1. ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ’S LEGENDARY DEBUT (MARCH 31, 2018)
Result: LA Galaxy 4-3 LAFC
This match wasn’t just the first-ever El Tráfico—it instantly became one of the greatest games in MLS history. LAFC were up 3-0 with just over 30 minutes left, cruising to what seemed like a dream debut in the rivalry. But then Zlatan Ibrahimović made his entrance.
Coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, he scored a stunning 40-yard volley just six minutes later to equalize the match, followed by a dramatic 91st-minute winner. It was the perfect Hollywood debut and immediately ignited El Tráfico as must-watch television.
@MLS
2. VELA VS. ZLATAN – THE DUEL OF 2019 (JULY 19, 2019)
Result: LA Galaxy 3-2 LAFC
In what felt like a heavyweight boxing match, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Carlos Vela, the league’s two biggest stars, went head-to-head in a showcase of individual brilliance.
Zlatan scored a hat-trick, including a spectacular goal where he juggled the ball past defenders before blasting it home. Vela, in the middle of his record-breaking MVP season, scored twice himself. The energy was electric, with every touch of the ball met with roars from divided fanbases.
This match encapsulated everything El Tráfico stands for: pride, spectacle, and ego.
@MLS
3. LAFC’S FIRST PLAYOFF VICTORY OVER GALAXY (OCTOBER 24, 2019)
Result: LAFC 5-3 LA Galaxy
Despite LAFC’s regular-season dominance, they hadn’t beaten Galaxy in previous meetings. That changed in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals.
Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi combined to dismantle the Galaxy defense, with Vela scoring a brace. The match was a wild, back-and-forth goal fest, but LAFC finally got over the psychological hurdle of defeating their rivals when it mattered most.
The win marked a turning point in the rivalry and symbolized LAFC's growing stature in the city.
WHY EL TRÁFICO MEANS SO MUCH
Battle for LA Supremacy: LA Galaxy, with five MLS Cups, represent tradition, history, and legacy. LAFC, the upstarts, embody youth, flair, and revolution. Every game is a fight for control of the city’s soccer identity.
Star Power: From Beckham, Donovan, and Zlatan to Vela, Rossi, and Bale—these games are loaded with talent and big personalities who thrive under pressure.
Fan Culture: LAFC's 3252 supporter group brings unmatched energy, while Galaxy’s loyal base proudly defends their legacy. These matches are not just games—they're wars of passion and pride.
High Stakes, Always: Even regular-season games feel like cup finals. The drama, comebacks, and goals make each meeting a can’t-miss event.
CONCLUSION
El Tráfico is more than just a rivalry—it’s a cultural phenomenon that symbolizes the evolving identity of soccer in the United States. With each passing game, the intensity only grows. Whether it’s Vela’s finesse or Zlatan’s arrogance, late goals or wild celebrations, one thing is certain: when LA Galaxy and LAFC meet, history is made.