El Trafico 2026, Round 1; LAFC cruises in return from World Cup break

Rarely do you get a one-sided match whenever LAFC and the LA Galaxy play each other.

In the seven years that El Trafico has existed, you really could throw out the records and any potential talent gaps that might have existed between the two sides, as both teams have always found a way to makes its matches competitive and filled with drama.

However, at least for this match, it was clear as to who was the better side in this match. LAFC attacked and scored whenever they got the chance, while a short-handed Galaxy side could hardly muster any meaningful chances, and the end result was a rather easy 3-0 result at Dignity Health Sports Park, LAFC’s second ever win in at the Galaxy’s home stadium.

“I felt good about the week of work and training,” LAFC Head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “I felt very confident going into the match.”

Marky Delgado and Denis Bouanga scored LAFC’s first two goals in the match, but it was who scored the third goal that was important for LAFC, as it came off the right foot of Son-Heung Min, as it was his first in league play this season. Son and LAFC certainly hopes that goal is a sign of things to come.

“Scoring a goal is always good, but as footballer, I was always thing about the team,” Son said. “If the team is winning, it doesn’t matter if I score or not.”

LAFC got going in the 26th minute. Jacob Shaffelburg beat John Nelson to a ball deep on the right side of the field, Shaffelburg then deked Nelson to continue forward, then sent a right-footed cross into the  penalty area, Delgado headed a ball that first deflected off Jakob Glenses, but deflected off Delgado and went forward, which allowed Delgado to get into shooting position as he chased down the ball, and Delgado, who was a key factor in the Galaxy’s drive to the MLS Cup title two years ago, but left the franchise on bad terms, slotted a right-footed shot just outside the six-yard box past keeper Novak Mićović far post to stake LAFC to the lead.

“There’s some history that tracks there, that stays between me and what went on,” Delgado said. “It lights a little fire, I get a little excited playing against them, I know their style of play really well, so I could see things coming before they’re happening, so I know where to position myself and cause havoc.”

LAFC then got an opportunity just before halftime to build on its lead. Shaffelburg dribbled into the penalty area, was dispossessed by tackle by Edwin Cerillo, Bouanga chased down the loose ball as did Galaxy defender Justin Haak, Bouanga beat Haak to the ball, and Haak compounded matters by kicking Bouanga at the back of his cleats, leading referee Rubiel Vazquez to signal for the penalty. Bouanga stepped up to the spot and, even as Micovic guessed right, he still put enough power on the shot to beat him to the left.

Then came the moment for Son in the 57th minute. Son received a ball from Mathieu Choiniere and dribbled forward, Son passed to Delgado, who then passed back to Son, and seeing a sightline, fired a right-footed laser of a shot that beat Micovic far post to triple the LAFC advantage and essentially nullify any thought of another Galaxy comeback.