The LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club are about to meet for the final time in the regular season in a fixture that could have massive implications for the 2024 MLS Cup.
Things have been relatively quiet in anticipation for tonight’s game, which is odd considering the context that surrounds it. It would be difficult to write a better scenario for this edition of El Tráfico.
This will be the 24th time that the teams repping Los Angeles come face to face. With each side claiming nine wins up until this point, this fixture will be the tiebreaker. The bragging rights will undoubtedly go to the victor (at least until the playoffs).
The Western Conference table currently shows that the LA Galaxy are in first place. LAFC are hot on their tail in second place with a four point deficit and two games in hand.
A win for the Galaxy would put them seven points clear of their rivals in black, who would be unable to catch up with only six additional points available to them.
A win for LAFC would close the gap to a single point, a figure they should have no issue surpassing in their two remaining games if their general form this season is anything to go by.
With so few games left in the regular season, it’s also likely whichever side gets the win will have the best chance at finishing in top spot and securing home playoff matches.
This would be massive for the Galaxy, who have been invincible so far in front of the home crowd in Carson. Adding to that the fact that all of their losses this year have come on the road and the onus on the Galaxy to beat LAFC only grows stronger.
Despite currently being atop of the conference, the original Angelenos are widely considered the underdogs in this fixture. This may largely be because of the decade-long drought the Galaxy are just managing to escape from, but even more recent history suggests that they might struggle.
More than any reputation previous versions of the Galaxy have earned, their underdog status is largely a result of LAFC getting the better of them in both of the previous two El Tráficos this year. Each was a 2-1 win away from Dignity Health Sports Park which were ultimately decided by unfortunate and arguably controversial penalties.
While it’s obvious that this record doesn’t bode well for the Galaxy, it’s worth remembering that they were still just a couple of decisions away from earning draws in each of those games. Had that happened, the narrative would have suggested much more parity between both sides than it currently does.
Mental toughness will be key for the Galaxy as they attempt to shake the underdog label, control this game from the scoreline, and become the masters of their own destiny.
Joseph Paintsil didn’t show much of that when he conceded the winner and got himself suspended with a late yellow card against St. Louis City SC, but his time in Ghana during the international break should hopefully have allowed him to refocus.
Dejan Joveljic would be a more fitting example of a player with the right mentality. Greg Vanney revealed that he would be available for selection during press availability on September 13.
This could be a missive relief for the LA Galaxy and Joseph Paintsil, who have struggled with Paintsil’s difficulties in playing out of position. As the club’s first choice number nine, Joveljic would add a crucial element to their game that the Galaxy have been missing.
Another player set to return against LAFC is Colombian defender Carlos Emiro Gárces. He is a confident player who has a good sense of when to step and is always strong in the tackle.
One of his most interesting traits is his aerial ability, which might surpass Jalen Neal’s. With Olivier Giroud likely looking to get his head onto the ball to make a difference for his time, some are beginning to feel as if Garcés might be better suited to deal with the aerial threat.
Greg Vanney might feel spoiled for choice for the first time in a while with some key players returning to fitness just in time. He must determine how and when to activate certain players if he hopes to make a statement in the first year where he has been fully supported by the front office.
The Galaxy players must do their part in making Marco Reus’s addition to the game count. If Reus and Riqui Puig, (who has failed to create a chance in three consecutive derbies), find a way to split the defenders’ attention and break down LAFC from the middle while finishing chances and avoiding counters, the Galaxy will be taking a massive step in their MLS Cup bid.
Who will take the series lead? Who will take the conference lead and home playoff matches? Who will have what it takes tonight at 7 PM on a warm, summer night in Carson?
PHOTO: LA GALAXY
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