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.

Uruguayan midfielder Gastón Brugman acquired by the LA Galaxy

Uruguayan midfielder acquired via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio 1913 and signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season with a club option for 2026


The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Uruguayan midfielder Gastón Brugman via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio. Brugman will be signed to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season with a club option for 2026 pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.

“We are pleased to welcome Gastón to the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “Gastón is an excellent player and focused professional. He will add balance, experience and leadership to our midfield.”

Greg on Gaston

Brugman, 29, has tallied 26 goals and 31 assists in 303 career games played (248 starts) across all competitions for Empoli F.C. (2010-12), Delfino Pescara 1936 (2012-20), US Grosseto 1912 (2013), Palermo FC (2015-16), Parma Calcio 1913 (2019-22) and Real Oviedo (2021-22). The midfielder tallied three goals and six assists in 34 games played (30 starts) across all competitions on loan with LaLiga2 side Real Oviedo during the 2021-22 campaign. 

“We have been tracking Gastón for the past few years and he fits a specific need in our midfield and how we play,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski. “This is a significant addition to our team as we continue to move forward.”

Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Gastón Brugman from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio 1913 and sign the midfielder to a three-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS regular season plus a club option for 2026 on July 6, 2022.

Gastón Brugman
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 185
Date Of Birth: Sept. 7, 1992
Age: 29
Birthplace: Rosario, Uruguay
Last Club: Parma Calcio 1913 (Italy)
Citizenship: Uruguay
Acquired: Acquired via transfer from Italian Serie B side Parma Calcio on July 6, 2022.

LA Galaxy Fall 3-2 To Minnesota United FC

Down to 10 men following a red card issued in the 25th minute of the match, the LA Galaxy scored two second-half goals, but sustained a 3-2 loss to Minnesota United FC in front of 18,337 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night.

Goal-Scoring Plays
MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (Robin Lod), 9th minute: Receiving the ball on the right wing, Emanuel Reynoso cut inside on his left foot and curled his shot into the top right corner of the goal.  

MIN – Franco Fragapane (Kemar Lawrence, Luis Amarilla), 36th minute: Kemar Lawrence’s cross from the left wing found Franco Fragapane, whose cushioned finish from inside the box found the top of the net.

 

MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (Robin Lod), 43rd minute: Bongokuhle Hlongwane cut inside from the right wing and centered a pass into the 18-yard box to Reynoso, who drilled his shot into right side of the goal.

LA – Mark Delgado (Penalty Kick), 60th minute: After Efraín Álvarez was fouled inside the box, Mark Delgado stepped up to the penalty spot and converted his attempt into the bottom right corner of the net.

 

LA – Dejan Joveljić (Daniel Aguirre, Raheem Edwards), 90+3rd minute: Working down the left flank, Raheem Edwards clipped the ball into the center of the box to Daniel Aguirre. The midfielder took a touch and squared a pass to Joveljić, who slid his shot into the far corner of the net.

Postgame Notes

  • Wednesday’s match marked the 10th MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Minnesota United FC, with the Galaxy leading the series 5-2-4.

  • The loss to Minnesota marked LA’s first-ever loss to the Loons at Dignity Health Sports Park (2-1-2).

  • In 12 matches played at home across all competitions in 2022, LA holds a 6-5-1 record.

  • It marked the second time this season that LA scored multiple goals in the second half of an MLS regular-season match.

  • Mark Delgado tallied his second goal of the season, and his second career goal scored at Dignity Health Sports Park.

  • The penalty marked Delgado’s second career penalty conversion in league play dating back to the 2021 season.

  • Daniel Aguirre tallied his first career assist in MLS in his made his first career start for the Galaxy, logging 90 minutes in his fifth appearance of the season for LA.

  • Dejan Joveljić tallied his fifth goal in 305 minutes played across 14 appearances in league play this year.

  • Amongst players that have played a minimum of 300 minutes in league play this season, Joveljić ranks first in MLS in goals scored per 90 minutes played (1.48).

  • With five goals scored as a substitute this season, Dejan Joveljić ranks first in MLS in goals scored off the bench in league play.

  • Across all competitions this season, Joveljić leads the Galaxy with eight goals scored and has added two assists in 547 minutes played in 18 appearances (4 starts).

  • Raheem Edwards notched his team-leading sixth assist during the 2022 regular season.

  • Efraín Álvarez notched a team-high four chances created in 45 minutes played as a second-half substitute.

  • Douglas Costa made his first appearance for the Galaxy in league play dating back to May 22.

  • Samuel Grandsir made his 54th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.

  • Jonathan Bond, Kévin Cabral, Chicharito, Samuel Grandsir and Rayan Raveloson have each appeared in every MLS regular-season match this year.

  • The last time the Galaxy were issued two red cards in an MLS regular-season match was against the Portland Timbers on July 27, 2019.


Next Game
Next up, the LA Galaxy play host to CF Montréal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Monday, July 4. The July 4 match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be feature a regional broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet, in addition to a live stream on LAGalaxy.com

LA vs Portland PreGame Commentary by Vanney, Chicharito, & Williams

Saturday’s match marks the 31st MLS regular-season meeting between LA and Portland, with the Galaxy leading the series 13-11-6. In their last three matches played against the Timbers dating back to July 30, 2021, the Galaxy hold a 3-0-0 record, outscoring Portland 9-3. In four career matches played against Portland, Chicharito has tallied three goals.