LAFC vs LA Galaxy

The playoffs are here for LAFC, as they will kick off what they hope will be a three-game successful run with their first elimination game, Thursday against ...

Thursday’s match between LAFC and the Galaxy will be televised nationally on FS1 and Fox Deportes. This is likely going to be an absolute battle, but the pressure is on for LAFC. The Galaxy have lost just one of their last 11 games, so they are on a legit roll, and with Riqui Puig in their midfield, they’re a transformed team from the last time LAFC played them.

Fans will be treated to the second-ever MLS Cup Playoff edition of El Trafico as LAFC host LA Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday.

Home teams have dominated in this series (just one road win across 14 all-time meetings), but there's an opportunity for the visitors to shock the home fans at Banc of California Stadium. The wild history of this rivalry also plays into the odds, as the line is skewed heavily towards goals, and lots of them. Winger Kevin Cabral has seen starts of late, and could be an option if a change is made, but will more likely see time off the bench. Gareth Bale was not a regular player during the latter portion of the season as the team looked lost with him on the field following his arrival. LAFC, as the Supporters' Shield winners, earned a bye in the first round and will be expected to not only win on Thursday but also challenge for the MLS Cup title. They topped Nashville SC in the opening round 1-0, and look to be a threat on both sides of the ball.

Get a report of the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy 2022 Major League Soccer, Western Conference Playoffs - Semifinals football match.

[Marky Delgado](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/193171/Marky-Delgado) paid immediate dividends as the Serbian settled a pass from [Victor Vazquez](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/115989/Víctor-Vázquez) outside the box, slid to his right and curled a shot over the outstretched arms of [Maxime Crepeau](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/159382/Maxime-Crépeau). [Carlos Vela](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/76098/Carlos-Vela) picked out Bouanga with a pinpoint pass into the area and he shrugged off his defender beat [Jonathan Bond](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/65434/Jonathan-Bond) to put LAFC in front. [Riqui Puig](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/270611/ricard-puig) having a penalty shout waved off and [Douglas Costa](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/127502/Douglas-Costa) hitting the crossbar from just outside the area. [Juventus](/football/team?id=111) defender [Giorgio Chiellini](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/24836/Giorgio-Chiellini) an unused sub and [Gareth Bale](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/77653/Gareth-Bale) held out after picking up a leg injury during training this week. [5-3 defeat](/football/report/_/gameId/557512) in 2019. [Dejan Joveljic](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/240110/Dejan-Joveljic) struck a sublime shot from outside the penalty area to eqaulize before Arango smashed into the top of the net in second-half stoppage time to seal the win. The Galaxy have a 6-2-5 lead in the regular-season series, but have now lost on both occasions when facing LAFC in the playoffs including a [Cristian Arango](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/186385/Cristian-Arango) struck a decisive winner and [Denis Bouanga](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/213304/Denis-Bouanga) scored two as [LAFC](/football/team?id=18966) pulled off a thrilling 3-2 win over the [LA Galaxy](/football/team?id=187) in their MLS Western Conference semifinal on Thursday night at Banc of California Stadium. [Samuel Grandsir](https://www.espn.com.au/football/player/_/id/235949/Samuel-Grandsir) netting an equalizer for the Galaxy before half-time. [FC Dallas](/football/team?id=185) or [Austin FC](/football/team?id=20906), who play in the on Sunday night, in the Western Conference final on Oct. [Who's primed for a semifinal upset?](/football/major-league-soccer/story/4774580/mls-cup-playoffs-conference-semis-preview-and-predictions) [Stream on ESPN+: Major League Soccer playoffs (U.S.)](/espnplus/schedule/_/type/upcoming/categoryId/119cfa41-71d4-39bf-a790-6273a52b0259/channel/ESPN_PLUS)