Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs – Conference Semifinals
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles
October 24 – 10:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN, TVAS
Anyone who's followed the league in the last couple years knows that El Trafico – the rivalry match between LAFC and the LA Galaxy — has offered some of the most dramatic encounters in recent history. And that's just in the regular season.
That drama will now move to the playoffs, as the Galaxy's 2-1 Round One win at Minnesota set up a mouthwatering playoff clash between the city rivals. For LAFC, who posted a single season-record 72 points and a staggering plus-48 goal differential, the Galaxy remain the one equation they have been unable to solve.
Through two seasons, the five-time MLS champions have posted a 2W-0L-3D record against LAFC over a series of unforgettable encounters. The Galaxy took the first meeting between the two sides of 2019 on July 19, posting a 3-2 home win thanks to a dominant showing from hat trick hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic. LAFC managed a point in an equally wild 3-3 game at Banc of California on Aug. 25 that featured four goals in the first 16 minutes and saw LAFC claw back from a two-goal deficit.
- Zlatan mum on rivalry clash with Vela, LAFC, for now
- Feilhaber on El Trafico: All the pressure's on LAFC
- Galaxy respectful but confident on LAFC: "History doesn't lie"
- "It had to be the Galaxy": Bradley relishing chance to overcome LA rivals
- The reasons LAFC became a record-setting team in 2019
- For LAFC’s Atuesta, futbol is the best psychologist
- Dio, Zimmerman, Kaye: Will they be back for El Trafico?
- Showdown in LA: El Trafico by the numbers
- 538 projects which teams will win Conference Semis
- Seltzer: My playoff power rankings
- Chaos in the Playoffs! Extratime reacts & looks ahead
- Wiebe: LAFC need to beat the Galaxy and win MLS Cup to be best ever
Los Angeles Football Club
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Javier Perez (M) - left ACL tear
- OUT: Alejandro Guido (M) - illness
- OUT: Danilo Silva (D) - lumbar disc surgery
- QUESTIONABLE: Mark-Anthony Kaye (M) - right hamstring strain
- QUESTIONABLE: Rodolfo Zelaya (F) - left foot contusion
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
LA Galaxy
- Injury Report:
- QUESTIONABLE: Joe Corona (M) - toe injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at LAFC
- LAFC: 0 wins, 5 goals
- Galaxy: 0 wins, 5 goal
- 2 draws
MLS Cup Playoffs
- This is the first all-time meeting between LAFC and the LA Galaxy in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
Officials
- Referee: Kevin Stott
- Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Andrew Bigelow
- 4th Official: Christopher Penso
- VAR: Dave Gantar