In the final instalment of El Trafico this year, Los Angeles FC begin a four-game homestand on Saturday when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS action at BMO Stadium.

A 1-0 win over Minnesota United in midweek moved the Black and Gold up to fourth in the Western Conference, while the Galaxy remain at the bottom of the table following a narrow 2-1 defeat at Austin FC.

Match preview

Steve Cherundolo has reverted to what made LAFC successful last year, with a solid defensive game and strong transitional moments, reversing their fortunes in recent weeks.

Since the start of July, the Black and Gold are a perfect 3-0 in this competition, a sharp contrast from their form heading into this month, which saw them go winless in their final four competitive fixtures in June.

They have been airtight defensively this month, giving up a combined six targeted efforts in their last three games and posting a clean sheet in each of those outings.

Coming into this weekend, LA are seven points below San Diego FC for first in the West, but they have three games in hand on them, while they have played the fewest games domestically this year (20).

Eight of their 10 domestic triumphs in 2025 have occurred at BMO Stadium, the joint-most in the league, with the Black and Gold winning five of their last six games in the competition at home.

LAFC are undefeated in their previous five regular-season home outings versus the Galaxy, emerging victorious in the last three El Trafico’s played at BMO Stadium in this competition.

What had been a successful MLS homestand for the Galaxy ended on a negative note, as their three-match unbeaten run in league play came to an end.

As they prepare to play their 24th match of the regular season, the Galaxy are 14 points below the Western Conference playoff line but are only three points behind St Louis City at the bottom of the standings.

To get back into the post-season race, Greg Vanney’s team must improve their form away from home, without a single win as the visitors in MLS this year, while losing eight times, the joint-most in the regular season.

The reigning MLS Cup champions have earned points in two of their previous three away matches in this competition but have only claimed one road triumph in regular-season play since July 2024, defeating the Colorado Rapids 3-1 last October.

Throughout the domestic campaign, this team have lacked structure and poise defensively, conceding a league high 45 goals, 27 of which were away from home.

The Galaxy have points in their last two meetings with LAFC but have not beaten them at BMO Stadium since the 2023 US Open Cup, claiming a 2-0 triumph on that occasion.

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

Team News

In their victory over the Loons this week, Ryan Raposo, Aaron Long and Lorenzo Dellavalle were all sidelined for LAFC with leg issues, while Maxime Chanot missed another fixture with a head injury.

A late penalty converted by Denis Bouanga in the opening half was enough to see them win their previous encounter, with Hugo Lloris making three stops for his third successive clean sheet.

With the Galaxy, Riqui Puig missed another encounter as his ACL has yet to be fully healed, while Mathias Jorgensen was the only newcomer to the starting 11, replacing Carlos Garces at the back on Wednesday.

In the latter stages of the second half, against Austin, Joseph Paintsil converted a penalty, which proved to be a mere consolation for the reigning MLS Cup champions.

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Lloris; Palencia, Tafari, Segura; Hollingshead, Jesus, Delgado, Yeboah; Martinez, Ordaz, Bouanga

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Yamane, Jorgensen, Yoshida, Nelson; Reus, Cerrillo, Fagundez; Pec, Ramirez, Paintsil

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-0 Los Angeles Galaxy

This is traditionally the time of year when the Black and Gold hit their stride and given how sharp they have been at the back, we do not foresee them having trouble with a side as inconsistent and underwhelming as the Galaxy have been all season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Joel Lefevre

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