(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: There was no doubt about it, the Black and Gold were right on time with a very solid and convincing performance in this edition of the fierce Major League Soccer (MLS) rivalry match known all over the world as “El Tráfico.”

The much-anticipated match for each team’s fandom was played at the Galaxy’s home field, the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, as MLS returned to its regular schedule to start the second half of this season’s competitions. The Galaxy packed its stadium to full capacity, while a sizeable, passionate group of Black & Gold LAFC supporters was also there to loudly and proudly cheer on its favorite MLS team.

Here is the match summary as prepared by the Club’s Communications Department. Our LAFC followers will also find an accompanying photo gallery that will enhance your celebration of this huge road victory and the 3-points that boosted them into 3rd place in the current MLS Western Conference with an overall record of 9W-5L-3D = 30 points. After this match, in the standings, they trailed the Vancouver Whitecaps and the San José Earthquakes, who both have 32 points.

LAFC RETURNS FROM WORLD CUP BREAK WITH 3-0 VICTORY OVER LA GALAXY

LAFC defeated the LA Galaxy 3-0 last Friday night, July 17th at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., in both clubs’ first MLS match following the eight-week break for the FIFA World Cup.

Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 26th minute when he headed a cross from Jacob Shaffelburg – fresh off his FIFA World Cup adventure with Canada – into the back of Galaxy defender Jakob Glesnes, then scurried to tap the rebound past goalkeeper Novak Mićović at close range. It was Delgado’s second goal of the season and his first against his former club, for whom he played from 2022 to 2024.

Denis Bouanga doubled the Black & Gold lead in the 45th minute with a penalty kick past Mićović. Bouanga had been fouled by Justin Haak in the area, and although it appeared at first as if Son Heung-Min would take the penalty, Son handed the ball to Bouanga, who netted his sixth goal of the season and his 11th in all competitions, both team highs.

The goal also marked Bouanga’s seventh straight appearance against the Galaxy in which he has scored, a record for the nine-year-old Southern California derby.

[PHOTO GALLERY COURTESY]: Los Angeles Football Club

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Son nearly added to LAFC’s 2-0 halftime lead in the 48th minute, when his right-footed curler from distance required a diving save from Mićović at full stretch to keep it out of the bottom corner. Ten minutes later (58’), Son finished from the top of the penalty area to give LAFC a 3-0 advantage, the sequence beginning with a Mathieu Choinière tackle in midfield and then a clever layoff by Delgado, who was credited with the assist on Son’s first MLS goal of the season to accompany the Korean star’s league-high nine assists.

LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was called upon to make just two saves in recording his MLS-best ninth clean sheet of the season.

[EDITOR’S NOTE -TEAM MATCH UPDATE]: The Black & Gold returned to BMO Stadium on Wednesday, July 22nd, when it hosted Real Salt Lake. The Black & Gold easily handled their business with a convincing win, outscoring their opponent to finish it at 3-1. They appear for their second home match in a week when they take on Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, 7/25 at 7:30 pm, and the match will be broadcast on Apple TV, Coupang Play & SPOTV (Korea). Also catch it on the radio over 710 AM ESPN LA, ESPN App (English), 980 AM La Mera Mera (Spanish), 1230 AM K-Radio (Korean)

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