Galaxy, LAFC clash again in U.S. Open Cup
The California Clasico rivalry between the Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes reached new levels when they faced off with more than just a league game on the line.
The Galaxy and San Jose met in the 2001 MLS Cup, with San Jose winning.
In 2003, things escalated again as the Galaxy let a 4-0 aggregate-goal lead slip away in the Western Conference semifinals and lost to San Jose 5-4 on aggregate. San Jose scored five goals in the second leg, with the clinching goal coming in overtime.
Then in 2005, to add some more spice to the intrastate rivalry, Landon Donovan returned to MLS and joined the Galaxy after playing with San Jose.
Now, the Galaxy and LAFC have had spicy league meetings, starting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's debut.
Playoff games between the intracity rivals will only help the rivalry grow into the league's best.
U.S. OPEN CUP
Today: LAFC at Galaxy, round of 16, 7:30 p.m., ESPN+
So far, they've only met once under those circumstances. They get a second opportunity when they clash in the round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup tonight at Dignity Health Sports Park (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
“It's all based on emotions,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of rivalry games. “There's always emotions in derbies and there's always emotions in league games, but when you play a league game early in the season, then there's a lot of points still out there. It's not as defining a moment.
“Whereas when you play a knockout game, it's a defining moment. It's emotional and one team goes home and they're done with the event, a tournament or a playoff. With San Jose, there were only so many teams in the league, San Jose was our rival and all of these games that were knockout, whether they were Open Cup or playoff games, they always had a little bit more juice in them.”
The first knockout game between the Galaxy and LAFC came in the Western Conference semifinals in 2019 with LAFC winning 5-3. That's one of LAFC's three wins in a series that the Galaxy leads 6-3-5.
“Ultimately, the race for both clubs is for trophies,” Vanney said. “We have one (trophy case) from the past, but we want to build one for our present and future and they're trying to build theirs as a relatively new club, so this is one of those opportunities where a knockout game presents itself with another chance to win a trophy on the other side of this game.”
The teams met earlier this season in MLS play with the Galaxy winning 2-1. The second match is scheduled for July 8.
LAFC is currently atop the Western Conference standings, while the Galaxy have struggled, most notably at home recently. In its last two home games, both losses, the Galaxy have been outscored 6-1.
“It's another derby, it's a little bit different than a league game because it's really do-or-die,” LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said. “As it always is, I'm sure it will be a tight game, an exciting game.”
Both teams are coming off a weekend game, with another coming to end the month. It also ends a busy stretch of May for both teams.
“It's important for the organization, for our fans, the club, it's really important to go to the final and have silverware at the end of the day,” LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau said. “It's going to be a big one. Everybody knows they have to dig deep for this.”
Galaxy midfielder Raheem Edwards has been on both sides of the rivalry. He spent last season with LAFC and joined the Galaxy this season. Even though the club has hit a rough patch recently, at least at home, he said the group knows what's at stake.
“We know what we have to do to be better and more successful,” he said.
He added: “I want to beat LAFC so bad.”