Marco Reus Rescues Draw in El Tráfico
- Josue Lopez
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
The twenty-fifth edition of the LA Derby between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club ended with a thrilling draw.
Dignity Health Sports Park hosted two teams not in their best momentum: the Black and Gold is swimming through the Western Conference in fifth place, meanwhile the current MLS Cup champion holders sits in last place. Such current form includes a 7-0 defeat last week against the New York Red Bulla.
Both LA teams had their own news during the week; Greg Vanney’s contract renovation and LAFC game against Club America seeking for the last place in this summer’s Club Workd Cup. Even former Galaxy player Mark Delgado was involved in a championship ring melee.
Without its best player Riqui Puig, Galaxy had a 4-2/3-1 formation with a double defensive midfielder with Edson Carrillo and Lucas Samaria. The four offensive players were Gabriel Pec, Diego Fagundez, German Workd Cup champion Marco Reyes and Christian Ramirez
The Black and Gold had their traditional 4-3-3 formation. Aaron Long and Eddie Segura seem to find a secure spot on defense, and a young offensive attack that includes Denis Bouanga, Nathan Ordaz and David Martinez.
It just took five minutes for the Galaxy to open the score. Cristian Ramirez gave a single touch pass to Gabriel Pec. The Brazilian winger stroke the ball; after a Hugo Lloris safe, Marco Reus was at the right place at the right time to score.
Seven minutes later, former LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado drove the ball through the midfield without any opposition. Ha passed it to Denis Bouanga, who shot the ball from the outside not giving any chance to formwr LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy giving LAFC a deserved tie.
The first four minutes of the second half am saw LAFC taking the advantage for the first time. Rayan Hollingshead took the ball on the right side, placed the ball between two Galaxy defenders. Nathan Ordaz won the position with his speed and placed the ball in the net.
With a 2-1 in favor, Steve Cherundolo make a couple of key changes. Marlon, a midfield with long smdistance shooting tendencies and more defensive characteristics entered replacing Timothy Tilman. Two of the front three, David Martinez and Nathan Ordaz, were replaced by Cengiz Ünder and Jeremy Ebobisse. Such changes allowed the host team to take position of the ball.
With the ball ownership and the motivation of the fans, LA Galaxy found a free kick at the 87th minute. Marco Reus stroke the ball with efficiency giving the Galaxy the second goal and the final draw.
With this tie, LAFC ended in the fifth place of its conference while the Galaxy remains in the last place.
