Recap, Match Day #24: LA Galaxy Keeps Pace with El Trafico Clasico Rival | OneFootball

The Los Angeles Galaxy had not lost back-to-back games in nearly two months. Thanks to some resilience in some second-half stoppage time, they still haven't.

LAFC, who entered Saturday's match on a three-game win streak, scored more than the LA Galaxy could until the game's last moments. An unexpected hero saved the match for the defending MLS Cup champions.

The struggling LA Galaxy offense has come on as of late. They have now scored multiple goals in five of their last eight games, including their most recent one.

Why it would have been a shame for the LA Galaxy to lose this one

After 40 minutes of play, the Los Angeles Galaxy held possession of the ball for 62% of the game. Despite both teams having two shots on target each, it was LAFC who found themselves up 2-1 at this point.

LAFC's Denis Bouanga and Javairo Dilrosun found the back of the net before the LA Galaxy's Gabriel Pec could. Bouanga, who has consistently played well against the Galaxy, added his 12th goal of the season before halftime. His 13th came in the 67th of play, putting the visiting team down 3-1.

Going 3-2-2 in their last seven games, the LA Galaxy fought hard to avoid giving LAFC a tenth and tying win in their all-time El Trafico Clasico series during the regular season. The Galaxy have ten wins and LAFC have nine, as there were six draws between the two teams.

Until Saturday. Gabriel Pec had his second game of the season with multiple goals. In the 79th minute the Brazilian forward cut the deficit in half thanks to Marco Reus's eighth assist of the season.

Just like their previous meeting during Rivalry Week, the LA Galaxy did not give up in this one. Veteran defender Maya Yoshida tied the game up 3-3 in the second half's 7th minute of stoppage time. Mauricio Cuevas was credited with the assist. Yoshida's first MLS goal came against LAFC, as well, during the 2023 regular season.

For the seventh time in El Trafico Clasico, both LA teams walk away with a tie. The one point earned in the MLS Western Conference standings. does more for LAFC than it does the LA Galaxy as the defending champions are at the bottom and likely to miss the playoffs.

Next Wednesday is the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas. The LA Galaxy will return to action two days after that to face the Houston Dynamo on the road.