On This Date: LA Galaxy Beat D.C. United in a Seven-Goal Affair (August 26, 2006) | OneFootball

The history between the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United is not lost among soccer fans. These two teams played one another in the first-ever MLS Cup Finals back in 1996. That's why it was big for the LA Galaxy to earn a rare win this year against their rival, D.C.

Despite being the top team in the MLS Western Conference that season, D.C. United made it through the Eastern Conference playoff field and beat the LA Galaxy to be crowned Major League Soccer's first ever champion.

By the time the Galaxy and D.C. played in the 2006 MLS regular season, these two soccer clubs combined for six titles. United had four by then with their last one being in 2004.

The LA Galaxy won in the Finals for the first time in 2002. They did so once more in 2005, a year before this high scoring game. But to be fair, only one team really did most of the scoring on August 26, 2006.

DC United v Los Angeles Galaxy | Victor Decolongon/GettyImages

How the first-half of play went between the LA Galaxy and D.C United in this one

Alan Gordon scored the game's first goal. That put the LA Galaxy up 1-0 early on. However, that did not last.

Unfortunately, an own goal from defender Chris Albright tied it up, 1-1, just five minutes later. That was the score heading into halftime. Even in 2025, the LA Galaxy know what it's like to give up an own goal.

Albright made up for his blunder by scoring in the first few minutes of the second half. He put the LA Galaxy up 2-1 at that point.

The captain, Landon Donovan, scored in the 66th minute off a penalty kick. The only earned goal by D.C. United came from Facundo Erpen three minutes later. Halfway through the second half of play, the Los Angeles Galaxy were up 3-2.

United v Galaxy | Robert Laberge/GettyImages

More scoring for the defending MLS Cup champions ensued.

The LA Galaxy benefited from an own goal from D.C. United player Bryan Namoff. His error doubled the deficit to two goals, 4-2. The most recent time the Galaxy gained an advantage from another team's own goal was in the Knockout Round of this year's Leagues Cup match against Pachuca.

Donovan added his second goal of the game in the 90'+2' minute. He outscored D.C. United alone, technically.

A big game like this one is needed when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The winner advances to the championship game for the 2025 Leagues Cup. The loser settles for a spot in the Third-Place Match.