El Trafico

The LA Galaxy’s 2022 MLS Cup Playoff run came to an end in the Western Conference Semifinals following a 3-2 loss to LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday night.

2022 LA Galaxy Season In Review
In 40 matches played across all competitions during the 2022 campaign, the LA Galaxy held a record of 18-14-8. In 21 matches played at home across all competitions, LA held an 11-6-4 record. The Galaxy were 7-8-4 in 19 matches played on the road across all competitions this year. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández led the Galaxy with 19 goals in 37 games played (34 starts) across all competitions in 2022. Dejan Joveljić recorded 15 goals and three assists in 37 appearances (10 starts) across all competitions in his second season with LA. Julián Araujo led the club with nine assists and added one goal in 39 games played (35 starts) across all competitions this season. In 12 games played (11 starts) across all competitions since joining the Galaxy, Riqui Puig logged three goals and five assists.

LA Galaxy Against LAFC
The Western Conference Semifinal between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 17th edition of El Tráfico across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-5-5. In four matches played across all competitions between the two teams during the 2022 campaign, the series was tied 2-2-0.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LFC – Denis Bouanga (Carlos Vela, Eddie Segura), 23rd minute: Carlos Vela’s pass into the penalty area found Denis Bouanga, who struck his shot into the back of the net.

LA – Samuel Grandsir, 44th minute: A failed clearance inside the box fell to Samuel Grandsir, who fired his shot into the lower far corner of the goal.

LFC – Denis Bouanga (Kwadwo Opoku), 80th minute: Ryan Hollingshead’s pass from the right side of the penalty area was flicked on by Kwadwo Opoku to Denis Bouanga, who converted his shot from close range at the back post.

LA – Dejan Joveljić (Víctor Vázquez, Gastón Brugman), 85th minute: Víctor Vázquez fed the ball to Dejan Joveljić on the edge of the 18-yard box. The Serbian international’s ensuing right-footed shot was curled into the top right corner of the net.

LFC – Cristian Arango, 90+3rd minute: Jonathan Bond initially saved Denis Bouanga’s shot from close range, but the rebound fell to Cristian Arango and his shot was fired into the roof of the net.

Postgame Notes

  • The LA Galaxy were eliminated from the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs following the 3-2 loss to LAFC in the Western Conference Semifinals.

  • The Western Conference Semifinal match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 17th edition of El Tráfico across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-5-5.

  • The Galaxy hold a 46-24-7 record in 77 all-time playoff matches.

  • In 35 all-time road matches played in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the LA Galaxy hold a 13-7-5 record.

  • In 40 matches played across all competitions during the 2022 campaign, the LA Galaxy held a record of 18-14-8.

  • The Galaxy were 7-8-4 in 19 matches played on the road across all competitions this year.

  • In their last 13 matches played across all competitions dating back to Aug. 13, the LA Galaxy held a record of 6-2-5.

  • Javier “Chicharito” Hernández led the Galaxy with 19 goals in 37 games played (34 starts) across all competitions in 2022.

  • Dejan Joveljić recorded 15 goals and three assists in 37 appearances (10 starts) across all competitions in his second season with LA.

  • Joveljić tallied 10 goals and three assists across all competitions as a substitute this year.

  • Julián Araujo led the club with nine assists and added one goal in 39 games played (35 starts) across all competitions this season.

  • In four matches played across all competitions against LAFC during the 2022 campaign, the Galaxy held a 2-2-0 record.

  • Samuel Grandsir has tallied three goals and four assists in his last five appearances across all competitions against LAFC dating back to Oct. 3, 2021.



LA Galaxy Fall 3-2 to LAFC in 16th edition of El Tráfico

Squaring off in the 16th edition of El Tráfico, the LA Galaxy fell 3-2 on the road to LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Friday night. Rayan Raveloson tallied a goal and an assist for the Galaxy, while Samuel Grandsir scored his first goal of the 2022 campaign.

LA Galaxy Against LAFC
Friday’s match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-4-5. In three matches played against LAFC across all competitions this season, the Galaxy are 2-1-0, outscoring LAFC 7-5. The loss to LAFC marked the Galaxy’s first defeat in six games played in the series dating back Oct. 25, 2020. In 16 editions of El Tráfico, the Galaxy and LAFC have combined to score 70 goals, or an average of 4.36 goals scored per game.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LFC – Jose Cifuentes (Kellyn Acosta), 17th minute: Kellyn Acosta’s in-swinging corner kick found Jose Cifuentes, whose header from the center of the penalty area found the back of the net.

LA – Samuel Grandsir (Rayan Raveloson, Efraín Álvarez), 55th minute: At the top of the 18-yard box, Efraín Álvarez found Rayan Raveloson on the left side of the penalty area. The Madagascar international dribbled toward the end line and cut a pass back towards the middle of the box to Samuel Grandsir, whose sliding shot snuck past Maxime Crepeau.

LFC – Jose Cifuentes (Carlos Vela), 70th minute: Cutting onto his left foot, Carlos Vela delivered a cross into the box that Cifuentes headed in from close range.

LFC – Cristian Arango (Carlos Vela, Kwadwo Poku), 72nd minute: Cristian Arango dribbled towards goal and his right-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box found the bottom, far corner of the net.

LA – Rayan Raveloson (Víctor Vázquez), 81st minute: Working down the right side of the penalty area, Víctor Vázquez’s driven cross into the center of the box was forcefully headed into the back of the net by Rayan Raveloson.


Postgame Notes

  • Friday’s match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-4-5. 

  • In 16 editions of El Tráfico, the LA Galaxy and LAFC have combined to score 70 goals, or an average of 4.36 goals per game.

  • In three matches played against LAFC across all competitions this season, the LA Galaxy are 2-1-0, outscoring LAFC 7-5.

  • The loss to LAFC marked the Galaxy’s first defeat in six games played in the series dating back Oct. 25, 2020.

  • In nine matches played on the road across all competitions in 2022, LA holds a 4-3-2 record.

  • The Galaxy rank second in the league in goals scored in the last 15 minutes of the second half (10), behind only LAFC (12)

  • LA has scored multiple goals in the second halves of their last three matches played in MLS regular-season play dating back to June 29.

  • Rayan Raveloson notched a goal and an assist in the loss to LAFC.

  • Raveloson has tallied three goals and one assist in the team’s last two matches dating back July 4.

  • The goal against LAFC marked Samuel Grandsir’s first goal of the 2022 campaign.

  • Grandsir made his 56th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.

  • Efraín Álvarez recorded an assist for a second consecutive match dating back to July 4.

  • Víctor Vázquez notched his second assist in league play this year.

  • Vázquez registered a game-high five chances created in 21 minutes played as a second-half substitute.

  • Mark Delgado finished the match with a team-high 11 possessions won and a game-high four interceptions.

  • Julián Araujo started and played 90 minutes in his 90th career appearance (80 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy.  

Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy play host to the San Jose Earthquakes in the 78th regular-season edition of the California Clásico at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, July 13. The July 13 match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT and features a national television broadcast on FS1 and FOX Deportes.

Greg Vanney, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Jonathan Bond and Raheem Edwards comments ahead of El Trafico

LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney and defender Raheem Edwards spoke during a media availability today, Thursday, July 7, as the team prepares for the 16th edition of El Tráfico against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Friday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. PT live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

Friday’s match between the Galaxy and LAFC marks the 16th meeting between the two sides across all competitions, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 7-3-5. In two matches played against LAFC this season, the Galaxy are 2-0-0, outscoring LAFC 5-2. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Galaxy defeated LAFC 3-1 in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 25 behind goals from Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Kévin Cabral and Dejan Joveljić. Notably, the Galaxy are unbeaten in five consecutive matches played (3-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021.The last time the two teams met at Banc of California Stadium, Joveljić tallied two goals in a 3-3 draw on Aug. 28, 2021.

LA Galaxy Advance to Quarterfinals of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with 3-1 Win Over LAFC

Continuing their 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign, the LA Galaxy earned a 3-1 win over LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park to advance to the Quarterfinal round on Wednesday night. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández registered the game-winning goal, while Kévin Cabral and Dejan Joveljić both registered goals in the win over LAFC. Additionally, Samuel Grandsir tallied two assists, while Raheem Edwards notched his sixth assist across all competitions during the 2022 campaign.

Marching On To The Quarterfinal
With the win over LAFC, the LA Galaxy will play host to Sacramento Republic FC at Dignity Health Sports Park in the Quarterfinal round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 21. Information on tickets will be provided at a later date. The Galaxy improved to 35-17-1 in 53 all-time U.S. Open Cup matches. Joveljić leads the Galaxy with three goals scored in three U.S. Open Cup matches played this season. Additionally, Cabral has tallied two goals in three U.S. Open Cup appearances during the 2022 campaign. Notably, Chicharito scored his first-ever goal in U.S. Open Cup play.

LA Galaxy Dominance Over LAFC
The Round of 16 match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC marked the first-ever matchup of the two teams in U.S. Open Cup play and the 15th edition of El Tráfico across all competitions, with the Galaxy improving to 7-3-5 in the all-time series. Notably, the Galaxy are unbeaten in eight all-time matches played (6-0-2) against LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park. Additionally, LA is unbeaten in five consecutive matches played (3-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021.


Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Kévin Cabral (Samuel Grandsir), 51st minute: On the left flank, Samuel Grandsir cut inside on his right foot and delivered a cross into the six-yard box to Kévin Cabral, whose diving, right-footed shot snuck just inside the left post and into the back of the net.  

LA – Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Samuel Grandsir), 57th minute:
After Samuel Grandsir dispossessed the ball off Ilie Sanchez outside the LAFC 18-yard box, Cabral carried the ball to midfield and played it back to his French compatriot. Grandsir dribbled past Latif Blessing and delivered a bouncing cross just outside the six-yard box to Chicharito, whose diving, left-footed shot beat LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

LA – Dejan Joveljić (Raheem Edwards), 81st minute: Working down the left side of the penalty area, Cabral back-heeled a pass into the path of Raheem Edwards. The Canadian international immediately fired a pass into the top of the six-yard box to Joveljić, who stuck his right foot out to redirect the ball just inside the far post.

LFC – Ryan Hollingshead (Jose Cifuentes), 85th minute: Jose Cifuentes’ cross into the box found the head of Ryan Hollingshead, who flicked the ball into the back of the net.

Postgame Notes

  • Following the win over LAFC, the LA Galaxy advanced to the Quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and will play host to Sacramento Republic FC at Dignity Health Sports on Tuesday, June 21.

  • With the win over LAFC, the LA Galaxy improved to 9-5-2 in 16 matches played across all competitions during the 2022 campaign.

  • The Galaxy improved to 7-3-5 in 15 matches played across all competitions against LAFC.

  • LA is unbeaten in eight all-time matches played (6-0-2) against LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park.

  • Additionally, LA is unbeaten in five consecutive matches played (3-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021.

  • Chicharito scored his sixth goal in his 15 appearance (13 start) across all competitions this year.

  • Raheem Edwards tallied his sixth assist in 14 matches played (14 starts) across all competitions in 2022.

  • Joveljić leads the Galaxy with three goals scored in three U.S. Open Cup matches played this season.

  • In four matches played across all competitions against LAFC, Joveljić has tallied three goals.

  • Cabral has tallied two goals in three U.S. Open Cup appearances during the 2022 campaign.

  • Samuel Grandsir made his 50th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.

  • Grandsir tallied two assists in the win over LAFC. Notably, Grandsir has tallied four assists in two matches played across all competitions against LAFC this season.

  • Jonathan Klinsmann improved to 3-0-0 in three U.S. Open Cup matches played this year.

  • The Galaxy broke their club record for the highest attended U.S. Open Cup in team history with 24,174 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park in the win over LAFC.


Next Game
Next up, the LA Galaxy return to league play to play host to Austin FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, May 25. The May 25 match kicks off at 3:00 p.m. PT and features a national broadcast on UniMás and TUDN.

the team prepares for the 13th edition of El Tráfico against LAFC

After earning a 3-1 win on the road against the Portland Timbers on April 3, the LA Galaxy (3-2-0, 9 points) return home to play host to LAFC (4-0-1, 13 points) in the 13th edition of El Tráfico at Dignity Health Sports Park (4:30 p.m. PT; FOX, FOX Deportes) in a match presented by Herbalife Nutrition on Saturday, April 9.Saturday’s match marks the 13th MLS regular-season meeting between the two teams, with the LA Galaxy leading the series 5-2-5. The Galaxy are unbeaten in three consecutive matches against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021. In six regular-season meetings between the two sides at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 4-0-2. In two career games played against LAFC, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has registered one goal and two assists. Notably, Raheem Edwards leads MLS with four assists in five matches played.

Head Coach Greg Vanney, Forward Javier Hernández and Defender Raheem Edwards spoke about the upcoming match.