The Los Angeles Galaxy relinquished a 2-goal lead to city rival Los Angeles FC in a pulsating 3-all derby draw on Sunday night. The 2 points dropped now left LAG in a delicate 4th place on the Western Conference standings, just 2 points better than 7th place( the last playoff spot).
The 2-year old rivalry between LAG and city rival LAFC is gathering momentum and is gradually becoming a derby to look forward to in the Major League Soccer and across the globe. The 1st of the 5 derbies between LAG and LAFC popularly known as the El Trafico was an equally entertaining 7-goal thriller about 17 months ago(it was LAFC 3rd ever MLS match), and it ended in a 3-4 defeat despite taking a 3-goal lead, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela were both on target in the historical derby clash, and both players had since gone on to score 8 and 7 goals respectively 5 El Trafico.
Ibrahimovic sure loves to play in this tie and he opened the scoring in the 2nd minute of kick-off with a fine strike. LAFC was playing under the watching eyes of the home crowd at the Barc of California Stadium and duly got their equalizer in the 12th minute through Latif Blessing. However, Ibrahimovic wasn't done yet, as he put his team ahead again in the 15th minute(his 22nd goal of the season, 5 short of Carlos Vela), Cristian Pavon added a 3rd for the visitors just a minute later. But just when it seemed like another win over LAFC, the home side pulled another goal back before the breakthrough Latif Blessing, to make it 2-3. League-leading scorer Carlos Vela wouldn't miss out of the action, as he pulled his team level in the 53rd minute, his 27th goal of the season, 4 goals shy of the record of 31 goals set last season by Josef Martinez of the Atlanta United.
The LAG still unbeaten against their city rival after 5 meetings, with 2 wins and 3 draws. The El Trafico has now witnessed a staggering 24 goals in the 5 meetings, with 13 of the goals scored by LAG.
LAFC would be happy with the points shared, having already secured playoffs status with 62 points and sits on top of the Western Conference standings with 7 games to go, there's no catching LAFC. LAG, on the other hand, will be licking their wounds after dropping 2 crucial points, and are now living dangerously in 4th place with 42 points, just 5 points ahead of Portland Timbers who is outside playoffs spot on 8th place and can cut the gap to 2 points with a win in her outstanding fixture.
Thanks
Comments