LA Galaxy remain undefeated in eight home matches against LAFC
LA Galaxy progressed to the next round of the US Open Cup after defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 in the round of 16 at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
The rivalry between the Galaxy and Los Angeles FC keeps growing. On Wednesday night both teams faced each other for the first time in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and the Los Angeles Galaxy came out with the victory in the round of 16 with a 3-1 win against LAFC to advance to the next round.
This was the eighth matchup at the Dignity Health Sports Park between both sides since 2018 and the first one in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Galaxy remain undefeated at home against LAFC with a record of six wins and two draws.
It was a tough first half for Los Angeles FC because they lost Carlos Vela and Diego Palacios due to injuries and this changed the tone of the game. The Galaxy came out with more energy and their high pressure paid off when Kevin Cabral scoring the first goal of the night in the 51st minute to give the home side the lead.
Galaxy keeps up El Tráfico domination
Six minutes later the Galaxy made a quick counter attack following a corner kick from LAFC and Samuel Grandsir assisted Chicharito Hernández to make it 2-0. This was Javier Hernández’ first goal in the US Open Cup and his first in the last eight matches across all competitions with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The home side kept pushing and striker Dejan Joveljic sealed things with a third goals despite a late push from LAFC with Ryan Hollingshead scoring in the 85th minute with some time left on the clock. The Galaxy managed to control the game with long possessions and after five minutes added of stoppage time they secured the 3-1 win over LAFC and secured their spot to the next round.
After the games things got heated when Joveljic and LAFC’s goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau got into an argument over an incident that occurred late in the second half. Both players started a scuffle that ended with everyone getting involved and it ended after several minutes with LAFC players walking back to their locker room and Galaxy staying on the field to celebrate the victory with their fans.
“I think it was completely unnecessary at the end and both teams were a little immature and stupid for a lack of a better word. It shouldn’t happen and this is not the face we want because we would rather play harder and more aggressively during the 90 minute and not after. That is not our true face, that is not us and it shouldn’t happen again,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo after the match.