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Another wild 'El Trafico' from crosstown rivals LAFC and LA Galaxy. LAFC came out cool and collected controlling the game in the first few minutes, maintaining solid passes from the back. However, lacked pressure from their offense in the 1st half. The team seemed a little shaky after LA Galaxy, Diego Costa hit a shot that hit the top post of the goal. However, it wasn't long after when LAFC, Denis Bouanga was inside the box, got his defender off of him and had a left footed finish, resulting in a goal (1-0). With the 1st half almost being LAFC's, LA Galaxy managed to cause some chaos, when the ball was cleared out the box by an LAFC defender and landed at Diego Costa's feet who finished a goal from the right side. Tieing the game moments before the end of the 1st half (1-1).
Both teams started out the 2nd half strong, causing fouls on both ends. Resulting in dangerous free kicks on both sides. With players getting extremely physical and the game having no dominator on who the winner would be, until the 79th minute, when LAFC, Denis Bouanga got a ball from Ryan Hollingshead who slid the ball through Galaxy's defense and confidently had a left foot finish. (2-1) The Galaxy did not give up, because nearly 5 minutes after, Galaxy, super sub Dejan Joveljić had space at the top of the box and managed to have a right-footed curved finish making it once again, a tied game (2-2). Things were definitely heating up on both sides and you would think the game was going to extra-time. But, that was not the case. in the 92nd minute, LAFC, Kellyn Acosta took a corner kick that landed to Boaunga's feet who passed it to the middle, hit Galaxy's keeper and Chicho Arango was there to smash that clean up. Giving LAFC a 3-2 lead. LA Galaxy did not give up because they were still having goal score opportunities in those final minutes. But, nothing ended up in the back of the net. Leaving the final score 3-2. The black and gold are headed to the 2022 MLS Western Conference final where they will play the winner of Austin FC-FC Dallas.
FT: LAFC 3-2 LA Galaxy
Photos for the game are here