LAFC is next up for the Galaxy
No matter which team advanced after Saturday's first round MLS Cup playoff match at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Los Angeles Football Club knew it would host a familiar challenger in the Conference Semifinals.
“How familiar?” was the question.
LAFC could have faced Nashville SC for a second straight match after losing to them 1-0 on the final day of the regular season at Banc of California Stadium in what amounted to an inconsequential match for the 2022 Supporters' Shield winners.
Instead, it will be public enemy No. 1, the Galaxy, who despite clashing with LAFC three times over the first half of the year may appear less familiar to their Black & Gold neighbors than the team from Tennessee.
Alterations to the Galaxy roster through the summer transfer window have paid dividends for the five-time MLS champions, and Thursday's secondever playoff “El Trafico” comes as they're unbeaten in five matches and playing their best soccer during the last two years.
“There's a lot of things where the group has settled in and has a much better sense of itself in how to be successful,” said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney, “but also the consistency has been better, which is something we lacked for a bit.”
Galaxy starters including young Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig, who has delivered creativity and patience since arriving from Barcelona in August; Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Brugman, who made his debut in the Galaxy's shutout over Atlanta on July 24; and veteran Uruguayan central defender Martin Caceres will get their first taste of El Trafico on Thursday.
None were on the squad when LAFC last played the Galaxy on July 8.
“A lot has changed in that time,” Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond said. “We play in a slightly different way. We found momentum we maybe didn't have at the start of the season.”
Bond's clean sheet on Saturday marked the Galaxy's first shutout since the end of July when they still struggled with composure and cohesion in the middle of the park that could lead to conceding goals out of nowhere.