LAFC needed a positive result and, like LA Galaxy, looked for the three points in a Los Angeles derby that didn’t disappoint and featured plenty of good goals. LAFC returned to winning ways by defeating their city arch-rivals, the LA Galaxy, 4-2.
Goals from Denis Buoanga with a brace, Ryan Hollingshead and Timothy Tillman with a goal each sealed LAFC’s victory over the LA Galaxy, which featured goals from Billy Sharp and Maya Yoshida.
LAFC had gone three straight games without a win but still remained in a comfortable position in the Western Conference, while the LA Galaxy were on the rise after four games without a loss but still sit well out of playoff territory in thirteenth place.
The win moved LAFC, which had 43 points, into second place in the West and left the LA Galaxy second to last in the conference with 30 points.
LAFC grew tired of attacking on the wings in the first half, which put the LA Galaxy’s defensive line in trouble as they were unable to play due to heavy pressure from the home team. Steve Cherundolo’s team tried to exploit the Galacticos’ weaknesses on the wing of young Mauricio Cuevas, and that’s where the center scored the first goal.
In the 24th minute, Diego Palacios went down the left and sent a cross into the center of the box and Buoanga superbly finished the header to beat Jonathan Bond and make it 1-0.
The LA Galaxy responded quickly and while the Black and Gold fans were still cheering, Sharp equalized 25 minutes into the game.
In a great triangulation, he allowed Diego Fagúndez to play the through ball that put Sharp in front and beat Maxime Crépeau flat. The Frenchman returned to the starting lineup after a 315-day absence when he suffered a broken leg in his last appearance among LAFC’s three clubs in the MLS Cup final, which his team won on penalties against Philadelphia Union. The substitute on that occasion, John McCarthy, became the hero in the penalty shootout that gave LAFC their first MLS title.
In the 33rd minute, Carlos Vela had an assist and got his team back on the scoreboard. The Mexican provided the assist for Hollingshead and fired a left-footed shot from outside the box that Bond couldn’t keep out on the left, making it 2-1 LAFC.
In the second half, the LA Galaxy made some adjustments in their defensive saga and took more risks in attack. The bet paid off after 59 minutes. It is said that a goal is scored when the ball is directed into the penalty area twice, and this was confirmed by the galactic team when Sharp headed back first on a cross and Yoshida directed the ball towards the goal, reversing Crépeau and equalized to make it 2-0. 2.
In the 75th minute, Buoanga was on the scoreboard again after he took advantage of a serious mistake by Chris Mavinga by passing the ball back without violence. The LAFC striker wasted no time stealing the ball and beating Bond with a powerful shot to make it 3-2.
Tillman secured the win in the 84th minute, capping off a great night for LAFC and returning to winning ways. Mario González sent a deep pass and Tillman slipped through the LA Galaxy defense and set up Bond’s fence with a low right hand to make the score 4-2.
Next Wednesday, September 20th, LAFC will visit St. Louis City SC (5:30 p.m. PT) at CITYPARK, while LA Galaxy host Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park (7:30 p.m. PT).
