Playing in front of a sold out crowd of 25,174 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park, the LA Galaxy earned a 2-1 win over LAFC in the 13th regular-season edition of El Tráfico on Saturday night. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández tallied his fifth goal of the 2022 campaign, while Séga Coulibaly scored the game-winning goal in the win over LAFC.

LA Galaxy Against LAFC
Saturday’s match marked the 13th MLS regular-season meeting between the two teams, with the LA Galaxy leading the series 6-2-5. The Galaxy are unbeaten in four consecutive matches (2-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021. In seven regular-season meetings between the two sides at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 5-0-2. In three career games played against LAFC, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has registered two goals and two assists. In six matches managed against LAFC, LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney holds a 2-1-3 record. LA has scored multiple goals 10 times against LAFC in the 13 matches played between the two clubs. When LA scores the first goal in matches played against LAFC, the Galaxy hold a 4-1-0 record.

Chicharito In Goal-Scoring Form
After tallying the opening goal in the win over LAFC, Chicharito is tied for the league-lead with five goals in six games played during the 2022 campaign. Notably, Chicharito has tallied nine goals in his last nine regular-season matches played, dating back to Oct. 23, 2021. In his last 13 games played at Dignity Health Sports Park dating back to April 25, 2021, Chicharito has tallied 12 goals and two assists.

Assisting In the Win
Samuel Grandsir registered two assists in the win against LAFC, bringing his season tally to three assists during the 2022 season. The two assists against LAFC marked Grandsir’s first multi-assist performance in MLS for the Galaxy. Edwards registered an assist in his second consecutive match dating back to April 3. Edwards’ five assists during the 2022 campaign ranks first in MLS amongst all players. Additionally, Víctor Vázquez notched his first assist of the season.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (Samuel Grandsir, Víctor Vázquez), 14th minute:Víctor Vázquez’s pass on the left wing found Samuel Grandsir isolated with an LAFC defender. Grandsir’s looping cross inside the six-yard box found the head of Chicharito, who rose quickly to nod his header past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

LA – Séga Coulibaly (Samuel Grandsir, Raheem Edwards), 31st minute: Raheem Edwards dropped in a pass just inside the 18-yard box to Grandsir. The Frenchman chested the ball down and quickly delivered a low pass to the back post that Coulibaly finished from close range.

LAFC – Cristian Arango, 79th minute: After Jonathan Bond initially saved Carlos Vela’s shot from inside the box, Cristian Arango was first to the rebound and placed his shot into the back of the net.

Postgame Notes

• Saturday’s match marked the 13th regular-season edition of El Tráfico between the two teams, with the LA Galaxy leading the series 6-2-5.

• In seven regular-season meetings between the two sides at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy improved their unbeaten record to 5-0-2.

• The Galaxy are unbeaten in four consecutive matches (2-0-2) against LAFC dating back to May 8, 2021.

• When LA scores the first goal in matches played against LAFC, the Galaxy hold a 4-1-0 record.

• The Galaxy have scored multiple goals 10 times in 13 regular-season matches played against LAFC.

• In 13 matches played between the Galaxy and LAFC, the two teams have combined for 53 goals scored.

• In six matches managed against LAFC, LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney holds a 2-1-3 record.

• The Galaxy dealt LAFC their first loss of the 2022 season.

• Samuel Grandsir tallied two assists in the win over LAFC, marking the first time in his Galaxy career he has registered multiple assists in a single match.

• Grandsir ranks tied for second in MLS with three assists during the 2022 season.

• Grandsir has played in 40 consecutive matches for the Galaxy dating back to April 18, 2021.

• Raheem Edwards notched his league-leading fifth assist of the season in the win over LAFC.

• Séga Coulibaly tallied his first career goal as a member of the Galaxy.

• Víctor Vázquez notched his first assist of the 2022 campaign.

• Jonathan Bond tallied six saves in the win over LAFC.

• Sacha Kljestan made his 50th regular-season appearance for the Galaxy in the win against LAFC.

• Saturday’s match marked the third consecutive sell-out at Dignity Health Sports Park to begin the 2022 MLS Regular Season.

Post Game Comments

Next Game
Next up, the Galaxy travel to face Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday, April 16. The April 16 match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT and will feature a local television broadcast.