El Tráfico

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"Los Angeles Derby" redirects here. For the former rivalry between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, see SuperClasico.

El Tráfico
MLS crest logo RGB - LA Galaxy.svg
LA Galaxy
MLS crest logo RGB - Los Angeles FC.svg
Los Angeles FC
Other namesLos Angeles Derby
LocationGreater Los Angeles
First meetingLA Galaxy 4–3 LAFC
MLS regular season
(March 31, 2018)
Latest meetingLA Galaxy 1–1 LAFC
MLS regular season
(October 3, 2021)
Next meetingLA Galaxy v LAFC
MLS regular season
(April 9, 2022)
Statistics
Meetings total13
Most winsLA Galaxy (5)
Top scorerCarlos Vela
(10 goals)
Largest victoryLAFC 6–2 LA Galaxy
MLS is Back Tournament
(July 18, 2020)
El Tráfico is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC
Location of the two teams' stadiums in Los Angeles County

El Tráfico, also known as Los Angeles Derby, is a soccer rivalry between the two Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs based in the Los Angeles area, LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.[1][2] The rivalry is one of two crosstown series in MLS, alongside the Hudson River Derby in the New York City area, and replaced the SuperClasico between the LA Galaxy and now defunct Chivas USA.

Background[]

Los Angeles FC was established in 2014, shortly after the dissolution of Chivas USA, an MLS franchise based in Los Angeles and owned by C.D. Guadalajara. Chivas shared the StubHub Center in Carson, originally known as the Home Depot Center (2003–2013) and now known as Dignity Health Sports Park, with the Galaxy but had far lower attendances during its final years of operation.[3] The two teams competed in the SuperClasico, named for the Mexican rivalry between Guadalajara and Club América.[4] The two teams met 31 times in ten seasons, with the Galaxy winning 20 matches and Chivas winning four.[1][3]

Los Angeles FC built a new stadium in Exposition Park, approximately 13 miles (21 km) north of Carson on Interstate 110.[3] LAFC's owners have also expressed interest in hosting rivalry matches at the larger Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, also located in Exposition Park.[5]

History[]

The two teams' academies met for the first time in September 2016, ending in a 3–3 draw.[6]

The first match between the two senior teams, LAFC's third-ever regular season game,[7] was played on March 31, 2018, at the StubHub Center. Despite LAFC leading 3–0 after 60 minutes, the match ended in a 4–3 win for the Galaxy, including two goals from substitute Zlatan Ibrahimović on his debut.[8] The teams played at Banc of California Stadium on July 26 and was followed by a second match at the StubHub Center on August 24 during MLS Rivalry Week.[9] The second meeting, on July 26, ended in a 2–2 draw at the Banc of California Stadium. Six fans were arrested in clashes between fans at the stadium, where seats were damaged and fights broke out.[10] The final meeting of the two teams in 2018, played a month later on August 24, ended in a 1–1 draw at the StubHub Center.[11]

The first El Tráfico match of the 2019 season, played in July at Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly the StubHub Center), ended in a 3–2 victory for the hosting LA Galaxy. Ibrahimović's scored all three Galaxy goals and earned a hat-trick, while Carlos Vela scored both of LAFC's goals.[12] The visiting LAFC supporters came in a 17-bus convoy and wore camouflage outfits as part of a "united front", having been inspired by a similar display by German club Dynamo Dresden.[13][14] The return fixture at Banc of California Stadium a month later ended in a 3–3 draw, with two goals apiece for Ibrahimović and Latif Blessing after a second-half comeback from LAFC.[15]

The two teams met in the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, which was hosted by top-seeded LAFC after the Galaxy advanced from the first round against Minnesota United FC.[16] LAFC won 5–3, breaking a six-match winless streak against the Galaxy, with pairs of goals scored by Vela and Adama Diomande.[17] LAFC advanced to the Conference Final, where they lost 3–1 to Seattle Sounders FC, the eventual MLS Cup 2019 champions.[18][19]

The opening El Tráfico fixture of the 2020 season was scheduled for May 16, but MLS suspended all operations in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21] The two teams were drawn into Group F of the MLS is Back Tournament, which would be played without spectators at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida.[22][23] LAFC and the Galaxy met in the second matchday on July 18, 2020, with Vela opting out of the tournament and the Galaxy's Javier Hernández injured. LAFC won 6–2, setting a new record for largest margin of victory in El Tráfico, with four goals from Diego Rossi; both of the Galaxy's goals had come in the first 31 minutes, from an own goal and a penalty kick.[24]

Fan activities[]

Los Angeles FC's fanbase consists of new MLS fans as well as former LA Galaxy and Chivas USA fans. In January 2018, a mural commissioned by LAFC in Pico-Union was vandalized with the colors of the Galaxy within hours of being completed and unveiled. This followed an earlier incident where paint in LAFC's colors was sprayed over a Galaxy mural at and a Galaxy billboard.[2][25] Both fanbases later defaced property during the inaugural year of the rivalry.[26]

Moniker[]

"El Tráfico" (literally "The Traffic" in Spanish) was a name created by MLS fans and adopted by media outlets following polls by SB Nation blogs LAG Confidential[27] and Angels on Parade.[1][2][28] It refers to the notorious traffic congestion in Los Angeles, among the worst in the United States and the world,[29] while also serving as a pun on "El Clasico".[2][30] MLS has no plans to trademark the name.[31] The rivalry has also been called the "Los Angeles Derby",[32] a moniker that was also used for the SuperClasico.[33] The name "El Tráfico" has faced opposition from executives within LAFC,[34] coach Bob Bradley,[35] and the president of the 3252, LAFC's largest supporters group.[36]

Results[]

Summary[]

Matches Galaxy wins Draws LAFC wins Galaxy goals LAFC goals
MLS regular season 11 5 5 1 24 18
MLS Cup Playoffs 1 0 0 1 3 5
MLS is Back Tournament 1 0 0 1 2 6
Total 13 5 5 3 29 29

Matches[]

Season Date Competition Stadium Home team Result Away team Attendance Series Ref
2018 March 31 MLS StubHub Center LA Galaxy 4–3 Los Angeles FC 27,068 LAG 1–0–0 [1]
July 26 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 2–2 LA Galaxy 22,716 LAG 1–0–1 [2]
August 24 StubHub Center LA Galaxy 1–1 Los Angeles FC 27,068 LAG 1–0–2 [3]
2019 July 19 MLS Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 3–2 Los Angeles FC 27,088 LAG 2–0–2 [4]
August 25 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–3 LA Galaxy 22.757 LAG 2–0–3 [5]
October 24 MLS Cup Playoffs Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 5–3 LA Galaxy 22,902 LAG 2–1–3 [6]
2020 July 18 MLS is Back ESPN Sports Complex Los Angeles FC 6–2 LA Galaxy 0 Tied 2–2–3 [7]
August 22 MLS Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 0–2 LA Galaxy 0 LAG 3–2–3 [8]
September 6 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 3–0 Los Angeles FC 0 LAG 4–2–3 [9]
October 25 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 2–0 LA Galaxy 0 LAG 4–3–3 [10]
2021 May 8 MLS Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 7,193 LAG 5–3–3 [11]
August 28 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–3 LA Galaxy 22,032 LAG 5–3–4 [12]
October 3 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 1–1 Los Angeles FC 25,174 LAG 5–3–5 [13]
2022 April 9, 2022 MLS Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy Los Angeles FC
July 8, 2022 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC LA Galaxy

Western Conference standings finishes[]

  Galaxy   LAFC

P. 2018 2019 2020 2021
1 1
2
3 3
4
5 5
6
7 7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11
12
13

• Total: LAFC with 3 higher finishes, LA Galaxy with 1.

Top goalscorers[]

As of October 3, 2021
Position Nation Name Team Goals
1 Mexico MEX Carlos Vela Los Angeles FC 10
2 Sweden SWE Zlatan Ibrahimović LA Galaxy 9
3 Uruguay URU Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC 6
4 United States USA Sebastian Lletget LA Galaxy 4
Argentina ARG Cristian Pavón LA Galaxy
6 Ghana GHA Latif Blessing Los Angeles FC 2
Norway NOR Adama Diomande Los Angeles FC
Serbia SRB Dejan Joveljić LA Galaxy
Uruguay URU Brian Rodríguez Los Angeles FC
8 France FRA Romain Alessandrini LA Galaxy 1
Colombia COL Cristian Arango Los Angeles FC
France FRA Kévin Cabral LA Galaxy
Mexico MEX Jonathan dos Santos LA Galaxy
Libya LBY Mohamed El Monir Los Angeles FC
Senegal SEN Mamadou Fall Los Angeles FC
Venezuela VEN Rolf Feltscher LA Galaxy
France FRA Samuel Grandsir LA Galaxy
Mexico MEX Javier Hernández LA Galaxy
Norway NOR Ola Kamara LA Galaxy
United States USA Danny Musovski Los Angeles FC
United States USA Lee Nguyen Los Angeles FC
United States USA Chris Pontius LA Galaxy
England ENG Bradley Wright-Phillips Los Angeles FC
United States USA Ethan Zubak LA Galaxy

Players who have played for both clubs[]

LAFC, then LA Galaxy

Other rivalries in the Los Angeles area[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Wiebe, Andrew (March 28, 2018). "Wiebe: First-ever "El Trafico" will lay stakes for LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Baxter, Kevin (March 28, 2018). "Galaxy and LAFC fans are taking new rivalry very seriously". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Baxter, Kevin (March 30, 2018). "'Proper rivalry' leaves Galaxy defending home turf against LAFC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  4. ^ Parker, Graham (May 17, 2012). "LA Story Part One: Chivas USA". The Guardian. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  5. ^ French, Scott (May 19, 2015). "LAFC's Henry Nguyen: Our stadium will be "one of the cathedrals of soccer"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  6. ^ Rosano, Nicholas (September 4, 2016). "LAFC, LA Galaxy meet for first time at academy level – who took the win?". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Butler, Dylan (March 29, 2018). "LA Galaxy vs. LAFC: 2018 MLS Match Preview". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Baxter, Kevin (March 31, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores two late goals to lift Galaxy to a 4-3 victory over LAFC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  9. ^ Baxter, Kevin (January 4, 2018). "LAFC to meet Galaxy three times in first MLS season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  10. ^ Baxter, Kevin (July 27, 2018). "LAFC-Galaxy game marred by vandalism and altercations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  11. ^ Baxter, Kevin (August 24, 2018). "With playoff positions on the line, Galaxy and LAFC end L.A. Derby with 1-1 draw". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Baxter, Kevin (July 19, 2019). "El Trafico: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat trick gets Galaxy the victory in testy match with LAFC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Dwyer, Alex (July 22, 2019). "LAFC supporters groups don camouflage for "united front" on Trafico trip". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Elliott, Helene (July 19, 2019). "Column: El Trafico continues to deliver the makings of a great rivalry". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  15. ^ Calhoun, Damian (August 25, 2019). "LAFC rallies from two-goal deficit to finish with draw against Galaxy". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  16. ^ Baxter, Kevin (October 20, 2019). "Galaxy beat Minnesota, will face LAFC next in MLS playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  17. ^ Baxter, Kevin (October 24, 2019). "Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande lead LAFC to El Trafico playoff win over Galaxy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  18. ^ Baxter, Kevin (October 29, 2019). "Magic runs out for LAFC and Carlos Vela in season-ending loss to Seattle Sounders". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  19. ^ Calkins, Matt (November 10, 2019). "For Sounders fans, Sunday's MLS Cup lived up to the hype and may never be topped". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  20. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (December 19, 2019). "Can't-miss MLS matches in 2020 include El Trafico, debuts of Nashville and Beckham's Inter Miami". ESPN. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  21. ^ Baxter, Kevin (March 19, 2020). "MLS extends suspension of season until May 10 due to COVID-19 pandemic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  22. ^ Baxter, Kevin (June 11, 2020). "LAFC and Galaxy will play in same group in MLS season restart tournament". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  23. ^ Baxter, Kevin (July 17, 2020). "Fanless El Tráfico rivalry between LAFC and Galaxy won't feel the same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  24. ^ Baxter, Kevin (July 18, 2020). "Diego Rossi's four goals power LAFC to victory over Galaxy in MLS is Back Tournament". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  25. ^ Nachman, Gideon (May 29, 2017). "Is it possible to manufacture a football rivalry? MLS has tried ..." The Guardian. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  26. ^ "Some Angelinos want a tagging war". LAG Confidential. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  27. ^ "What are we calling the LA Galaxy LAFC rivalry?". LAG Confidential. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  28. ^ "Poll: What should we call the LAFC-LA Galaxy rivalry?". Angels on Parade. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  29. ^ "L.A.'s traffic congestion is world's worst for sixth straight year, study says". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  30. ^ Davis, Matt (March 29, 2018). "Will Ferrell v Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Los Angeles FC prepare to face Galaxy on derby day". BBC Sport. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  31. ^ Lalas, Alexi [@AlexiLalas] (March 28, 2018). "The first-ever @LAGalaxy vs. @LAFC game is Saturday 3 pm ET on @FOXTV. This LA derby is being called "El Tráfico." @MLS says the fans came up with the name and the League has no plans to trademark it. #ElTrafico #LAvLAFC" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2018 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Lutz, Tom (March 31, 2018). "Zlatan Ibrahimovic's low-key MLS debut: a wondergoal then the winner for LA Galaxy". The Guardian. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  33. ^ Lalas, Greg (October 26, 2009). "L.A. derby finally means something". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  34. ^ Cardenas, Felipe (July 18, 2020). "The opposition to calling the LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry 'El Tráfico'". The Athletic. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  35. ^ Dwyer, Alex (March 4, 2019). "Bob Bradley dislikes "El Trafico" name for LA rivalry, offers "La Clasico"". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  36. ^ Jones, J. Sam (March 30, 2020). "The inside story of what made first El Trafico matchup one of MLS's greatest ever games". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.

See also[]

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