LAFC TOO MUCH FOR GALAXY IN ROUT

Despite its short history, the Lafc-galaxy rivalry has already grown into the most passionate in Southern California, fueled by two noisy, devoted fan bases in stadiums just 12 miles apart.

But on Saturday the L.A. County neighbors met again without fans — and without Galaxy striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who missed the game with a calf strain — at a youth soccer complex 2,500 miles from home. And the silence was deafening.

“Playing in an empty stadium is a challenge,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said before the game.

Bradley’s team did that better, getting four goals from Diego Rossi in a physical 6-2 win that moved LAFC a step closer to the knockout stages of the MLS Is Back tournament while the Galaxy, with their second loss in as many tries in Orlando, Fla., moved a step closer to elimination. Rossi’s six goals overall in the tournament tie him for the lead.

More MLS

Jeremy Ebobisse and Diego Valeri scored and the Portland Timbers clinched a spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. With a pair of wins to open the World Cup-style tournament, the Timbers have secured one of the top two spots in Group F going into Thursday’s match against the LAFC.

NWSL

Kailen Sheridan stopped Bayley Feist’s penalty kick and Sky Blue advanced to the Challenge Cup semifinals 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw with the Washington Spirit at Herriman, Utah.

It was the second game of the National Women’s Soccer League tournament to go to a penalty shootout. On Friday night, the Houston

Dash advanced on penalties (3-2) after a scoreless draw against the Utah Royals.

Under tournament rules, tie games went straight to a shootout rather than extra periods.

Late Saturday night a third game went to penalties the Chicago Red Stars and OL Reign played to a scoreless draw. The Red Stars advanced on penalties, 4-3.

International soccer

Seven months after leaving Pep Guardiola’s side, Mikel Arteta outwitted his mentor to ensure his first season as Arsenal manager will end with an FA Cup final.

In only his 25th match as a manager, Arteta masterminded a 2-0 victory — secured by Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s double — that ended Manchester City’s title defense on Saturday.

Manchester United plays Chelsea in the other semifinal today.

Tennis

The San Diego Aviators beat the Vegas Rollers 20-15 in a World Teamtennis match at White Sulphur Springs, W.VA.

Deaths

Rick Reed, whose career as a big-league umpire spanned three decades and included two All-star games and a World Series, died. He was 70. Major League Baseball confirmed Reed’s death.

The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed the death of former world junior pairs figure skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya in Moscow. The cause of the 20year-old Alexandrovskaya’s death on Friday has not yet been disclosed.

Also

Deiveson Figueiredo won the vacant UFC flyweight championship, finishing a dominant performance against Joseph Benavidez with a rear naked choke with 12 seconds left in the first round. Jack Hermansson also stunned

Kelvin Gastelum with a first-round submission by heel hook in the penultimate bout of the third UFC show in eight days from Fight Island, the UFC’S base of operations on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Arizona State guard

Alonzo Verge Jr. is withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft and will return for his senior season.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Caleb Jones said he tested positive for the coronavirus before training camp.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK AP LAFC forward Diego Rossi celebrates one of his four goals Saturday.