About the Los Angeles FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Rivalry

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 29 December 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Los Angeles FC vs Los Angeles Galaxy

• History & Previous Meetings
• Los Angeles Galaxy’s Memorable Moments
• Los Angeles Galaxy’s Recent Form and Season
• Los Angeles FC Memorable Moments
• Los Angeles FC’s Recent Form and Season

The derby between the two Los Angeles soccer clubs, Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy rivalry, is considered the biggest soccer rivalry in the US. Though the rivalry is not a long one historically, as Los Angeles FC was established in 2014, it is one of the bitterest rivalries in Major League Soccer (MLS).

This derby between the two Los Angeles clubs, dubbed ‘El Trafico,’ replaced the old rivalry between Galaxy and the now-defunct Chivas USA. Chivas and Galaxy shared the Home Depot Center stadium, now known as the Dignity Health Sports Park. The old rivalry was dubbed the SuperClasico after the Mexican rivalry between Guadalajara and Club America.

The rivalry between LAFC and LA Galaxy is among the most intense and alluring in Major League Soccer. Despite the difference in experience, the two teams have quickly developed a fierce rivalry that has captivated fans and media alike. The nickname ‘El Trafico’ comes from the infamously congested roads in the city of Los Angeles, which these cross-town rivals call home.

History & Previous Meetings

Across all competitions, these two rivals have clashed 21 times. Los Angeles Galaxy have the better head-to-head record in the fixture. They are certainly one of the most popular betting options for the MLS.

Los Angeles Galaxy’s Memorable Moments

This derby has existed for just five short years but has already garnered the reputation of an age-old rivalry. Several memorable moments have already been created in the derby’s short history.

In the 2018 MLS season, these two sides’ first meeting was the most memorable victory for Los Angeles Galaxy. It was the starting point of a mouthwatering on-pitch rivalry in a game with twists and turns. Los Angeles FC enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 lead up until the hour mark, but the game finished in favor of Los Angeles Galaxy, 3-4. Carlos Vela scored the first-ever El Trafico goal in the fixture for LAFC, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved to be the super-sub for Galaxy, who came off the bench to score twice and level the score at 3-3.

In 2023, Galaxy planned to host their archrivals at their former stadium, the Rose Bowl, for their season opener in February. However, due to bad weather, the match was postponed to July 4. This El Trafico set a record for the highest standalone attendance in the MLS, as 82,110 spectators showed up to the Rose Bowl. Galaxy bagged a 2-1 win at their former home stadium.

Los Angeles Galaxy’s Recent Form and Season

As things stand, Los Angeles Galaxy will miss out on the MLS playoffs this season, as they are stood 13th in the Western Conference table. Out of the 32 games played, the team has collected just 35 points. They’ve had a less-than-impressive season with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez out with an injury for a long time.

Galaxy have won just eight games in the MLS this year, suffering 13 defeats. Their current form has also been poor, as they have won just one of their last five matches. They were thrashed 4-2 by their bitter rivals, LAFC, in their MLS meeting last month. The club will look to shrug off the 2023 season and bounce back with reinforcements next year.

Los Angeles FC Memorable Moments

Each meeting between the two Los Angeles sides has been a topsy-turvy rollercoaster ride. Neither team has dominated the head-to-head. The balance has always swayed from one to the other in their few short years of history. The top scorer in the El Trafico is Los Angeles FC’s Carlos Vela. Coincidentally, Vela was also the first player to score a goal in the inaugural meeting between these two teams. The Mexican now has 12 goals in the fixture.

The most memorable moment between the two was their first-ever playoff encounter in 2019. The win was momentous for LAFC, who broke a six-match winless streak against Galaxy. They came back from behind to secure an emphatic 5-3 victory, with a brace each by Vela and Adama Diomande. LAFC reached the conference finals with the victory, where they were downed by eventual MLS Cup champions, Seattle Sounders.

In July 2020, LAFC set the record for the largest margin of victory in the El Trafico with a 6-2 win over Galaxy. The match was a part of the MLS is Back Tournament after soccer tournaments resumed post the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Diego Rossi bagged four goals in that encounter.

Los Angeles FC’s Recent Form and Season

This season, Los Angeles FC are enjoying fantastic form, with Carlos Vela once again in great goalscoring form. The team are placed second in the Western Conference table and have already qualified for this year’s playoffs, which their cross-town rivals have failed to achieve this season.

With just one league stage game left to play, LAFC have secured 51 points from their 33 games. They have recorded 14 victories, ten losses, and nine draws this season. Los Angeles FC were also named the top seed in the 2023 Leagues Cup, receiving a bye to the knockout stages. In the knockouts, they equaled a club record for the largest win (margin of six goals) in their 7-1 victory over Mexican side FC Juarez. They also set a new club record for the most goals scored in a match in that encounter. All in all, LAFC are in great shape this season and gunning to get their hands on some silverware.