SEATTLE - For the past six years, LAFC and LA Galaxy have starred in some of the most anticipated games of the MLS regular season. Their rivalry catalogued as "El Tráfico" has entertained LA and neutral fans alike thanks to its high-scoring nature.
The first LA derby of the 2024 MLS season will be the 22nd time both teams face each other in all competitions and, surprisingly enough, we are yet to see a game that ends goalless.
The first edition of "El Tráfico" in March of 2018 really set the tone for the city's new soccer rivalry. Expansion team LAFC found themselves 3-0 ahead after 50 minutes, but four goals turned the game around in the Galaxy's favor, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal at the 90+1 minute mark.
Ten of the previous 21 games in all competitions between both LA teams have seen 5 or more goals scored, but its LAFC who holds the record for the biggest win in the history of the rivalry. During the MLS is Back tournament, LAFC thrashed their city rivals in an eight-goal thriller, winning the game 6-2.
The rivalry reached new heights last year, when the game was moved to the legendary Rose Bowl. In front of 82,110 fans, LA Galaxy and LAFC set the stand-alone attendance record for an MLS game as the Galaxy won 2-1 that night. For a second straight year, both teams will face each other on July 4, 2024 in Pasadena.
We can expect the goalscoring trend to continue for the upcoming match, as the Galaxy rank second in all MLS with 13 goals scored so far this campaign. They are having their best start to an MLS campaign since 2010 thanks to three wins and three draws in their opening six games. Along FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union, the Galaxy is one of three teams that remain undefeated in 2024.
LAFC will try to use the derby as a way to finally kickstart their season. With just seven points from their opening six games, LAFC's new look has had trouble finding consistency and they are having their worst start to an MLS season since 2020.
In a rivalry game, form goes out the window. And although the Galaxy enters the weekend as the most in-form team in Major League Soccer, coming back from BMO Field with all three points has always been a tough task. The Black and Gold won the last meeting between the two but its the Galaxy who lead the all-time head-to-head with nine wins to LAFC's seven.
If you are looking for an entertaining, highly offensive match, look no furter as "El Tráfico" has rarely disappointed. In the previous 21 editions, the teams have combined for a total of 91 goals, averaging a ridiculous number of 4.3 goals per game. According to odds offered by DraftKings, the over-under total of goals for this weekend's match is set at 3.0 goals
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