It was Steven Beitashour, an LAFC original, who said it best. After the inaugural match between LAFC and Galaxy, the defender’s words were timeless, encapsulating everything that had happened and everything that lay ahead:
“After one game, we hate them, they hate us, and it’s perfect.”
It’s a clash of cultures – philosophies diverging over a 12-mile stretch of streets and highways. Contrasting colors delineating contrasting styles. In a little over five years, the LAFC-Galaxy rivalry has consumed a city and captivated a league.
This rivalry has goals - 88 scored between the two teams in 19 matches. It has stakes – four matches that saw the winner move on and the loser go home. It has heroes. And villains.
Don’t ask me what will happen when these two teams meet in the Rose Bowl on Tuesday. It’s never predictable, but it’s always memorable.
LAFC’s top moments in the series, in chronological order:
1. Vela’s first El Trafico goal
Often imitated, never duplicated. Close your eyes. Think about Carlos Vela scoring. This is the type of goal you’ll envision. The curler. A swerving, dipping shot always just out of the goalkeeper’s reach. Vela’s first goal against the Galaxy was his calling card. And MLS goalkeepers have been stretching in vain to try to stop it ever since.
2. 2019 playoff win
To this point, every LAFC-Galaxy match had been a dress rehearsal. This match had consequences. Win or your season is over. LAFC hadn’t tasted victory against its rival before this game. When the smoke cleared, it was the image of Zlatan Ibrahimovic walking off the pitch (and out of MLS) while LAFC celebrated. That remained the iconic moment of the night.
3. Diomande’s brace in 2019 playoffs
“I call game!” It’s unconfirmed whether Dio actually said it or thought it, but his run and goal told the story better than words ever could. Pace, power, finesse, and a dagger in the Galaxy’s season.
4. Diego’s four goals in Orlando 2020
If two goals are a brace, and three are a hat trick, then what are four goals in one match? In Italy, they call it a “poker.” Against the Galaxy (in the COVID bubble at the MLS Is Back tournament), it was Diego Rossi who held all the cards.
5. Brian’s dance vs Galaxy 2021
Chop. One defender gone. Chop. Another man down. Chop. A third defender left in his wake. But from such an acute angle, Brian Rodriguez can’t score, right? By the time his left-footed shot hit the roof of the net, there were eight Galaxy players in the penalty area. All were helpless. It’s the greatest individual goal in the rivalry’s history. Possibly the greatest in LAFC history.
6. Late heroics in the Conference semifinals 2022
It was the first hurdle on LAFC’s road to the 2022 MLS Cup. (Let’s not forget, LAFC defeated its biggest rival, the No. 2 seed in the West, and the East’s best team on its way to the Cup.) Dénis “Big Game” Bouanga announced his arrival in Black & Gold with two goals in this raucous night game in the heart of LA. But it was Chicho Arango’s quick reflexes in stoppage time that will forever be remembered.
7. Invading Carson 2023
With a sea of Black & Gold following them wherever they go, LAFC is never far from home … even in rival territory. On this day, Dignity Health Sports Park was a stadium divided, with LAFC fans taking up two levels and multiple sections in their opponent’s house. It was the closest an MLS match has ever looked to the Milan Derby or Superclásico (between River Plate and Boca Juniors in Argentina).
8. First win vs Galaxy away 2023
Steve Cherundolo’s team accomplished a bucket list of achievements in 2022. But to start 2023, one thing still eluded LAFC: a win at Galaxy. Led by Carlos Vela’s 11th and 12th goals in the rivalry and a Ryan Hollingshead birthday goal, LAFC held off their rivals, singing Sha-La-La with the traveling supporters on its rival’s pitch after the final whistle.
