LAFC vs LA Galaxy
Tuesday, July 4 at 7:30pm PT
Location: Rose Bowl - Pasadena, California
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
Coming off its defeat in Dallas on Saturday, July 1, LAFC face its top rival in a heavily anticipated Fourth of July matchup at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
LAFC stands at 9-5-5 on the season with 32 points— good for second in the Western Conference with 19 matches played and 13 to go.
The match in Dallas marked the 29th match the Black & Gold have played in 2023, across three competitions (MLS, Concacaf Champions League, and US Open Cup). Prior to this season no team in MLS history had played more than 25 matches through July 1. Head coach Steve Cherundolo has dismissed notions of an emotional hangover following LAFC’s loss in the Champions League final exactly one month ago (June 4), but the physical toll has been evident.
Tuesday’s matchup against their crosstown adversaries will provide an energy boost that only the fiercest rivalry in MLS can deliver.
GALAXY IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Greg Vanney, the Galaxy come in having played to four straight draws, including a 2-2 thriller against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 1. The Carson-based club (3W-9L-7D) currently sits in 13th place in the Western Conference standings.
Regardless of their current form, the Galaxy have proven themselves a worthy foe during the rivalry’s six-year history, leading the all-time series with an 8-6-5 record.
On Tuesday they’ll be without designated player Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who’s out for the year due to a torn ACL. They’ll also be missing midfielder Memo Rodriguez (thigh), defender Martin Caceres (avulsion fracture), and defender Jalen Neal (international duty).
THE BLACK & GOLD WILL WIN IF
they can summon the energy to slow down a Galaxy attack that’s starting to pick up steam. LAFC will need its short-handed backline to turn in strong performance against a side that has scored 10 goals in its last six matches across all competitions. LAFC will also need to create and capitalize on its scoring chances. Goals have been hard to come by for the defending MLS Cup champs over the last month.
GALAXY CAN WIN IF
Attackers Riqui Puig and Tyler Boyd are given time and space to create. Puig and Boyd have scored three combined goals against LAFC in 2023 and will look to add to that number in front of a Rose Bowl crowd that could well be the largest in MLS history.
