LAFC at LA Galaxy
Thursday, July 4 at 7:30pm PT
Location: Rose Bowl - Pasadena, CA 🏟
TV: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass 🖥
Radio: 710 AM ESPN 📻, ESPN LA App 📱, KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera 📻
Merch: LAFCxPacsun 👕
Coming off a dominant 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids last Saturday, LAFC next faces archrival LA Galaxy in a heavily anticipated Fourth of July matchup at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Mateusz Bogusz’s hat trick against the Rapids kept the Black & Gold (12W-4L-4D) in first place in the Western Conference with 40 points from 20 matches played. Goalkeeper and 2024 MLS All-Star Hugo Lloris secured his eighth clean sheet of the season, one short of tying league leader Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC).
LAFC is unbeaten in its last 11 matches across all competitions, including nine consecutive matches in league play, setting new club records in both categories.
Thursday’s prime-time matchup not only showcases one of MLS's fiercest rivalries but also a clash between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
The Black & Gold owns an 8W-9L-5D record all time against the Galaxy across all competitions. In their last matchup on April 6, LAFC defeated the Galaxy 2-1 at BMO Stadium with goals from Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga. An LAFC victory on Thursday would be its third consecutive regular-season win in this derby, a feat that neither team has previously achieved.
Galaxy in-depth
The Galaxy (11W-3L-7D) currently sit second in the Western Conference with 40 points from 21 matches played. The Carson-based club is on a four-game winning streak and has suffered just one loss in its last 11 matches.
In their 2023 Fourth of July clash, the Galaxy narrowly defeated the Black & Gold 2-1, with goals from Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig in a match that drew an MLS-record crowd of 82,110 to the Rose Bowl.
Leading the Galaxy's attack in 2024 is forward Dejan Joveljic, who has achieved career highs with 12 goals and five assists in 19 matches played.
Acquired this past off-season, fleet-footed wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, along with playmaker Puig, have contributed six goals each on the season.
Coached by Greg Vanney, the Galaxy are poised for a 2024 postseason bid after a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs, finishing 13th in the Western Conference.
The Galaxy may be without midfielder Gastón Brugman, who continues to recover from a knee injury.
The Black & Gold Can Win If:
LAFC sustains its current level of play and wins the battle of two teams who thrive on attacking in transition.
LAFC will rely on the inspired play of Mateusz Bogusz, who has netted five goals in the team’s last two matches and has contributed either a goal or an assist in all nine matches during LAFC’s current unbeaten streak in league play.
Denis Bouanga is also eager to add to his legacy in this rivalry. LAFC is 10W-0L-1D this season when Bouanga has a goal or an assist. Bouanga leads the league in shots taken (110) and shots on target (42).
The Black & Gold's back line and defensive midfield must contain Pec, Joveljic, and the rest of the Galaxy's attack, which has tallied 10 goals in its last four matches.
Th Galaxy Can Win If:
They disrupt an in-form LAFC attack, which has scored 13 goals in its last four matches. The Galaxy back line may be up for the task as it has kept clean sheets in its past three matches. Puig, leading the league with 1,819 touches, will aim to write another chapter of his legacy in this rivalry by adding to his two goals and one assist against LAFC across all competitions.
