LA Galaxy settle for morale victory and draw over LAFC

FanSided MLS

·19 May 2025

LA Galaxy settle for morale victory and draw over LAFC

Going 0-3-10 to open the season has shocked the Los Angeles Galaxy's fans as well as the rest of the MLS world. The defending champions avoided a 11th loss to their season, at least for now.

In rare moment, the LA Galaxy struck first. Midfielder and former Dortmund star Marco Reus scored in the 6th minute of this contest. Forward Christian Ramirez was credited with the assist.

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"I thought the game certainly had its ebbs and flows. There were stretches early on where I thought we were in control and were playing in their half of the field and good in possession, creating some chances, get the first goal."Greg Vanney, head coach of the LA Galaxy

The defending MLS Cup champions have struggled to maintain a lead now for the second game in a row. On Wednesday last week, the LA Galaxy blew a 2-0 halftime advantage when they allowed a pair of early second-half goals.

Former LA Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado, who has had a solid 2025 regular season, was issued a yellow card in the 25th minute. But not before his teammate on LAFC, Denis Bouanga tied it up in the 13th minute of the game. Delgado was given the assist on the play.

Another early second-half goal given up by the Los Angeles Galaxy appeared to set the Galaxy up for defeat. Something head coach Greg Vanney and the rest of his soccer club have unfortunately grown too accustomed to this season.

LA Galaxy keeper John McCarthy could not stop one of LAFC's four shots on target. Nathan Ordaz got an attempt past the 2022 MLS Cup Finals winner. McCarthy is also a former member of LAFC.

For the next 35-40 minutes of play, it looked as if the LA Galaxy would be defeated on Rivalry Week in the 25th all-time installment of El Trafico Clasico.

Reus to the Rescue for the LA Galaxy

Against the Philadelphia Union, Marco Reus was one of three non-forwards playing up top due to injuries sustained by both Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil. The result was beneficial for the most part as both Diego Fagundez and Mauricio Cuevas scored in the first half on Wednesday night.

Reus had two perfectly placed passes that set up each goal. He tallied two assists in the game. On Sunday night, the German-born native found a way to fill the stat sheet, again.

He added his second goal in the 87th minute of the game. Reus's score tied the game back up, 2-2. A crucial free kick preserved the evening and gave the LA Galaxy their fourth point in the MLS Western Conference standings.

"I feel much better than weeks ago. I was one month out because of my knee problem. It's bothering me still a little bit but it's much, much better. I don't know when it was the last time that I had three games in one week with those kind of minutes. So I'm very happy not with the result today, but with the mentality of the team. I mean, we showed not the best game in the second half, especially as a team together but after the 2-1, we did it good."Marco Reus, LA Galaxy midfielder

While the LA Galaxy do not look like a playoff team this year, much like the 2023 MLS regular season, they have done better their last two games. Prior to last week, the Galaxy had scored just eight goals in 12 games.

They have now scored four in their last two. The LA Galaxy and LAFC will have their rematch at BMO Stadium on July 19. In the meantime, the six-time MLS Cup winners get to enjoy some rest after playing three games in a ten-day span.

The second of three games against California-based teams will take place on May 24 during Memorial Day Weekend. The LA Galaxy will travel south and play San Diego FC.

They lost to the MLS newcomers in a 2-0 game on the season's opening night. This rematch could potentially add another strong opponent to the LA Galaxy's future going forward in terms of Rivalry Week.