El Tráfico Explained

El Tráfico
Other Names:Los Angeles Derby
Team1logo:Los Angeles Galaxy logo.svg
Team2logo:Los Angeles Football Club.svg
First Contested:March 31, 2018
MLS regular season
LA Galaxy 4–3 LAFC
Mostrecent:July 4, 2024
MLS regular season
LA Galaxy 1–2 LAFC
Nextmeeting:September 14, 2024
MLS regular season
LA Galaxy v LAFC
Most Wins:Both clubs (9)
Top Scorer:Carlos Vela
(12 goals)
Total:23
Series:LA Galaxy: 9
Drawn: 5
LAFC: 9
Largestvictory:LAFC 6–2 LA Galaxy
MLS is Back Tournament
(July 18, 2020)
Map Location:USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Map Label1:LA Galaxy
Coordinates1:33.864°N -118.261°W
Map Label2:Los Angeles FC
Coordinates2:34.013°N -118.285°W

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

This rivalry has been characterized by dramatic goals, high scoring, and consistently close results, as well as mutual fan animosity. El Tráfico quickly became one of the most popular and contested rivalries in the league; in addition to regular season play, the Galaxy and LAFC have played each other in the MLS Cup Playoffs and U.S. Open Cup.[3]

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 the city of Carson, California, 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.[4] The two teams competed in the SuperClasico, named for the Mexican rivalry between Guadalajara and Club América.[5] The two teams met 31 times in ten seasons, with the Galaxy winning 20 matches and Chivas winning four.[1] [4]

Los Angeles FC built Banc of California Stadium, now known as BMO Stadium, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California, approximately 13miles north of Carson, California on Interstate 110.[4]

History

The first match between the two senior teams, LAFC's third-ever regular season game,[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] [13] 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.[14]

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.[15] LAFC won 5–3, breaking a six-match winless streak against the Galaxy, with pairs of goals scored by Vela and Adama Diomande.[16] LAFC advanced to the Conference Final, where they lost 3–1 to Seattle Sounders FC, the eventual MLS Cup 2019 champions.[17] [18]

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.[19] [20] 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.[21] [22] 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.[23] On August 22, 2020, the Galaxy recorded the first El Tráfico away win with a 2–0 win and the first clean sheet at the Banc of California Stadium. On May 25, 2022, the Galaxy defeated LAFC 3–1 at Dignity Health Sports Park in the first ever US Open Cup El Tráfico with goals by Kévin Cabral, Javier Hernández, and Dejan Joveljic for the Galaxy and Ryan Hollingshead for LAFC. In their second playoff meeting at Banc of California Stadium on October 20, 2022, LAFC won 3–2.

The Galaxy planned to host their 2023 season opener on February 25 against LAFC at the Rose Bowl, the Galaxy's former stadium from 1996 to 2002.[24] It was postponed to July 4 due to heavy wind and rain in the area brought by a major winter storm.[25] The Rose Bowl match had 82,110 spectators, setting a new MLS record for standalone attendance, and was split between the two teams; the Galaxy won 2–1.[26] [27] A third match against designated rivals was added to the MLS schedule in 2023; LAFC expressed interest in potentially hosting the game at either the Coliseum or SoFi Stadium in 2024.[24]

The 2024 match at the Rose Bowl resulted in a $100,000 fine for the Galaxy due to misconduct by their supporters, including the lighting of flares during play.[28]

Fan activities

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 Hawthorne Memorial Park and a Galaxy billboard.[2] [29] Both fanbases later defaced property during the inaugural year of the rivalry.[30]

The clubs and fanbases have created a unique animosity between one another. For example, many LAFC fans refuse to use the name "LA Galaxy," instead opting for "Carson Galaxy" due to the fact that the Galaxy do not play in the city of Los Angeles but in Carson, California, a city in the county of Los Angeles. In addition, LAFC itself simply calls its rival "Galaxy." Galaxy fans frequently mock LAFC and its fans as "Chivas 2.0" as an allusion to the former Chivas USA, whose shutdown led to the creation of LAFC and which shared Los Angeles (and their home stadium) with the Galaxy from 2005 to 2014.[31]

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[32] and Angels on Parade.[1] [2] [33] It refers to the notorious traffic congestion in Los Angeles, among the worst in the United States and the world,[34] while also serving as a pun on "El Clasico".[2] [35] MLS has no plans to trademark the name.[36] The rivalry has also been called the "Los Angeles Derby",[37] a moniker that was also used for the SuperClasico.[38] The name "El Tráfico" has faced opposition from executives within LAFC,[39] coach Bob Bradley,[40] and the president of the 3252, LAFC's largest supporters group.[41]

Results

Summary

MatchesLAG winsDrawsLAFC winsLAG goalsLAFC goals
MLS regular season18 7 5 6 36 34
MLS Cup Playoffs2 0 0 2 5 8
MLS is Back Tournament1 0 0 1 2 6
U.S. Open Cup2 2 0 0 5 1
Total23 9 5 9 48 49

Matches

SeasonDateCompetitionStadiumHome teamResultAway teamAttendanceSeriesRef
2018 March 31 4–3 27,068 LAG 1–0–0 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-03-31-la-galaxy-vs-los-angeles-football-club/recap
July 26 Los Angeles FC 2–2 LA Galaxy 22,716 LAG 1–0–1 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-07-26-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy/recap
August 24 StubHub Center LA Galaxy 1–1 Los Angeles FC 27,068 LAG 1–0–2 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2018-08-24-la-galaxy-vs-los-angeles-football-club/recap
2019 July 19 LA Galaxy 3–2 Los Angeles FC 27,088 LAG 2–0–2 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2019-07-19-la-galaxy-vs-los-angeles-football-club/recap
August 25 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–3 LA Galaxy 22,757 LAG 2–0–3 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2019-08-25-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy/recap
October 24 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 5–3 LA Galaxy 22,902 LAG 2–1–3 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2019-10-24-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy/recap
2020 July 18 MLS is Back‡ Los Angeles FC 6–2 LA Galaxy 0† Tied 2–2–3 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-07-18-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy/recap
August 22 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 0–2 LA Galaxy 0†LAG 3–2–3 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-08-22-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy/recap
September 6 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 3–0 Los Angeles FC 0† LAG 4–2–3 https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-09-06-la-galaxy-vs-los-angeles-football-club/recap
October 25 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 2–0 LA Galaxy 0† LAG 4–3–3 https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/10/25/lafc-2-la-galaxy-0-2020-mls-match-recap
2021 May 8 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 7,193†LAG 5–3–3 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2021/matches/lavslafc-05-08-2021/
August 28 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–3 LA Galaxy 22,032 LAG 5–3–4 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2021/matches/lafcvsla-08-28-2021/
October 3 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 1–1 Los Angeles FC 25,174 LAG 5–3–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2021/matches/lavslafc-10-03-2021/
2022 April 9 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 25,174 LAG 6–3–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2022/matches/lavslafc-04-09-2022/
May 25 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 3–1 Los Angeles FC 24,174LAG 7–3–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/u-s-open-cup/2022/matches/lavslafc-05-25-2022/
July 8 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–2 LA Galaxy 22,231 LAG 7–4–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2022/matches/lafcvsla-07-08-2022/
October 20 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles FC 3–2 LA Galaxy 22,305 LAG 7–5–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-cup-playoffs/2022/matches/lafcvsla-10-20-2022/
2023 April 16 Dignity Health Sports Park LA Galaxy 2–3 Los Angeles FC 27,154 LAG 7–6–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2023/matches/lavslafc-04-16-2023/
May 23 Los Angeles FC 0–2 LA Galaxy 16,362 LAG 8–6–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/u-s-open-cup/2023/matches/lafcvsla-05-23-2023/
July 4* LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 82,110 LAG 9–6–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2023/matches/lavslafc-07-04-2023/
September 16 BMO Stadium Los Angeles FC 4–2 LA Galaxy 22,132 LAG 9–7–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2023/matches/lafcvsla-09-16-2023/
2024April 6MLSBMO StadiumLos Angeles FC2–1 LA Galaxy 22,321 LAG 9–8–5 https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2024/matches/lafcvsla-04-06-2024/
July 4Rose BowlLA Galaxy1–2Los Angeles FC70,076Tied 9–9–5https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2024/matches/lavslafc-07-04-2024/
September 14Dignity Health Sports ParkLA GalaxyLos Angeles FC

† Matches played behind closed doors or reduced capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‡ Although the match was part of the MLS is Back Tournament, group stage matches count toward regular season MLS statistics.

Western Conference standings finishes

Teams above red line qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

P. 201820192020202120222023
1 11
2
3 33
44
55
6
777
88
99
1010
11
12
1313
14
• Total: LAFC with 5 higher finishes, LA Galaxy with 1.

All goalscorers

PositionNationNameTeamGoals
1Carlos VelaLos Angeles FC12
2Zlatan IbrahimovićLA Galaxy9
3Denis BouangaLos Angeles FC6
Diego RossiLos Angeles FC
5Cristian ArangoLos Angeles FC4
Dejan JoveljićLA Galaxy
Sebastian LletgetLA Galaxy
Cristian PavónLA Galaxy
9Tyler BoydLA Galaxy3
Samuel GrandsirLA Galaxy
Javier HernándezLA Galaxy
Ryan HollingsheadLos Angeles FC
13Latif BlessingLos Angeles FC2
Kévin CabralLA Galaxy
José CifuentesLos Angeles FC
Adama DiomandeLos Angeles FC
Riqui PuigLA Galaxy
Brian RodríguezLos Angeles FC
Timothy TillmanLos Angeles FC
20Romain AlessandriniLA Galaxy1
Julián AudeLA Galaxy
Séga CoulibalyLA Galaxy
Mark DelgadoLA Galaxy
Jonathan dos SantosLA Galaxy
Mohamed El MonirLos Angeles FC
Mamadou FallLos Angeles FC
Rolf FeltscherLA Galaxy
Kei KamaraLos Angeles FC
Ola KamaraLA Galaxy
Danny MusovskiLos Angeles FC
Lee NguyenLos Angeles FC
Gabriel PecLA Galaxy
Chris PontiusLA Galaxy
Rayan RavelosonLA Galaxy
Ilie SánchezLos Angeles FC
Billy SharpLA Galaxy
Bradley Wright-PhillipsLos Angeles FC
Maya YoshidaLA Galaxy
Ethan ZubakLA Galaxy

Players who have played for both clubs

LAFC, then LA Galaxy

Other significant sports rivalries within the Greater Los Angeles area

See also

Crosstown rivalries in Los Angeles

Notes and References

  1. News: Wiebe . Andrew . March 28, 2018 . Wiebe: First-ever "El Trafico" will lay stakes for LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry . MLSsoccer.com . March 29, 2018.
  2. News: Baxter . Kevin . March 28, 2018 . Galaxy and LAFC fans are taking new rivalry very seriously . . March 29, 2018.
  3. News: Ruthven . Graham . October 20, 2022 . Manufactured rivalries don't work: LA's El Tráfico is an exception . . November 24, 2022.
  4. News: Baxter . Kevin . March 30, 2018 . 'Proper rivalry' leaves Galaxy defending home turf against LAFC . Los Angeles Times . March 31, 2018.
  5. News: Parker . Graham . May 17, 2012 . LA Story Part One: Chivas USA . . March 31, 2018.
  6. Web site: Butler . Dylan . March 29, 2018 . LA Galaxy vs. LAFC: 2018 MLS Match Preview . MLSsoccer.com . March 31, 2018.
  7. News: Baxter . Kevin . March 31, 2018 . Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores two late goals to lift Galaxy to a 4-3 victory over LAFC . Los Angeles Times . March 31, 2018.
  8. News: Baxter . Kevin . January 4, 2018 . LAFC to meet Galaxy three times in first MLS season . Los Angeles Times . March 31, 2018.
  9. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 27, 2018 . LAFC-Galaxy game marred by vandalism and altercations . Los Angeles Times . July 28, 2018.
  10. News: 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 . July 19, 2020.
  11. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 19, 2019 . El Trafico: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat trick gets Galaxy the victory in testy match with LAFC . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  12. News: Dwyer . Alex . July 22, 2019 . LAFC supporters groups don camouflage for "united front" on Trafico trip . MLSsoccer.com . July 19, 2020.
  13. News: Elliott . Helene . July 19, 2019 . Column: El Trafico continues to deliver the makings of a great rivalry . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  14. News: Calhoun . Damian . August 25, 2019 . LAFC rallies from two-goal deficit to finish with draw against Galaxy . . July 19, 2020.
  15. News: Baxter . Kevin . October 20, 2019 . Galaxy beat Minnesota, will face LAFC next in MLS playoffs . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  16. News: Baxter . Kevin . October 24, 2019 . Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande lead LAFC to El Trafico playoff win over Galaxy . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  17. News: Baxter . Kevin . October 29, 2019 . Magic runs out for LAFC and Carlos Vela in season-ending loss to Seattle Sounders . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  18. News: Calkins . Matt . November 10, 2019 . For Sounders fans, Sunday's MLS Cup lived up to the hype and may never be topped . . July 19, 2020.
  19. News: Carlisle . Jeff . December 19, 2019 . Can't-miss MLS matches in 2020 include El Trafico, debuts of Nashville and Beckham's Inter Miami . ESPN . July 19, 2020.
  20. News: Baxter . Kevin . March 19, 2020 . MLS extends suspension of season until May 10 due to COVID-19 pandemic . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  21. News: Baxter . Kevin . June 11, 2020 . LAFC and Galaxy will play in same group in MLS season restart tournament . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  22. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 17, 2020 . Fanless El Tráfico rivalry between LAFC and Galaxy won't feel the same . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  23. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 18, 2020 . Diego Rossi's four goals power LAFC to victory over Galaxy in MLS is Back Tournament . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2020.
  24. News: Baxter . Kevin . September 27, 2022 . Galaxy and LAFC to open 2023 season against each other at Rose Bowl . Los Angeles Times . September 27, 2022.
  25. News: Baxter . Kevin . February 24, 2023 . Galaxy-LAFC game at the Rose Bowl postponed until July 4 . Los Angeles Times . February 24, 2023.
  26. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 4, 2023 . Galaxy hold off LAFC in front of record crowd at Rose Bowl . Los Angeles Times . July 4, 2023.
  27. News: Sigal . Jonathan . July 4, 2023 . MLS history! El Tráfico at Rose Bowl sets single-game attendance record . MLSsoccer.com . July 4, 2023.
  28. News: Baxter . Kevin . July 12, 2024 . MLS fines Galaxy $100,000 for 'serious misconduct' by fans at Rose Bowl . Los Angeles Times . July 19, 2024.
  29. News: Nachman . Gideon . May 29, 2017 . Is it possible to manufacture a football rivalry? MLS has tried ... . . April 16, 2018.
  30. News: Some Angelinos want a tagging war. LAG Confidential. April 3, 2018.
  31. News: Maurer . Pablo . Stejskal . Sam . October 27, 2020 . The short life and long death of Chivas USA . . subscription . October 30, 2022.
  32. News: What are we calling the LA Galaxy LAFC rivalry?. LAG Confidential. April 3, 2018.
  33. News: Poll: What should we call the LAFC-LA Galaxy rivalry?. Angels on Parade. April 3, 2018. October 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221025134305/https://www.angelsonparade.com/2018/3/26/17165594/poll-what-should-we-call-the-lafc-la-galaxy-rivalry-battle-of-los-angeles-el-trafico-hollywood-derby. dead.
  34. News: February 6, 2018 . L.A.'s traffic congestion is world's worst for sixth straight year, study says . Los Angeles Times . March 31, 2018.
  35. News: Davis . Matt . March 29, 2018 . Will Ferrell v Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Los Angeles FC prepare to face Galaxy on derby day . . March 31, 2018.
  36. Lalas . Alexi . Alexi Lalas . AlexiLalas . March 28, 2018 . 979044509563498496 . 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 . March 29, 2018.
  37. News: Lutz . Tom . March 31, 2018 . Zlatan Ibrahimovic's low-key MLS debut: a wondergoal then the winner for LA Galaxy . The Guardian . March 31, 2018.
  38. Lalas . Greg . Greg Lalas . October 26, 2009 . L.A. derby finally means something . . March 31, 2018.
  39. News: Cardenas . Felipe . July 18, 2020 . The opposition to calling the LA Galaxy-LAFC rivalry 'El Tráfico' . . subscription . July 19, 2020.
  40. News: Dwyer . Alex . March 4, 2019 . Bob Bradley dislikes "El Trafico" name for LA rivalry, offers "La Clasico" . MLSsoccer.com . July 19, 2020.
  41. News: 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 . July 19, 2020 . March 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210304194541/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/03/30/inside-story-what-made-first-el-trafico-matchup-one-mlss-greatest-ever-games . dead .

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