Reus Rescues Galaxy in Derby Thriller: El Tráfico Ends in 2-2 Stalemate

By Adam Luna

The Los Angeles Derby delivered another thrilling installment as LA Galaxy and LAFC played out a high-octane 2-2 draw at Dignity Health Sports Park. Two goals from Marco Reus, including a brilliant late free-kick, bookended LA Galaxy’s scoring, while Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz were on target for LAFC in an emotionally charged affair defined by rapid momentum swings, tactical chess matches, and fierce individual duels.

First Half: Galaxy strike early, LAFC answer quickly

6’ ⚽ GOAL – LA Galaxy 1-0 LAFC

The match burst into life early as Marco Reus showed his Bundesliga pedigree. After a wave of pressure and a saved shot from Gabriel Pec, Reus found space inside the box and clinically slotted a right-footed effort to the bottom left corner. The 48% xG underlined the high-quality chance created through LA Galaxy’s swift combination play down the right.

13’ ⚽ GOAL – LA Galaxy 1-1 LAFC

The response was almost immediate. A well-constructed attack saw Marco Delgado lay the ball into the path of Denis Bouanga, who unleashed a low-driven effort from distance. Despite an xG of just 3%, Bouanga’s placement was inch-perfect, beating John McCarthy at the near post.

20’-45’: Physical Chess Match

The remainder of the half was intense, though less fruitful in front of goal. Diego Fagúndez and Gabriel Pec had half-chances blocked or saved, while Nathan Ordaz and David Martínez had speculative efforts miss the mark for LAFC.The game’s physicality escalated, with Marco Delgado, Miki Yamane, and Sergi Palencia all booked for late or cynical fouls, while Gabriel Pec was constantly targeted by the LAFC backline, drawing several fouls in key areas.

Half-Time: LA Galaxy 1-1 LAFC

Despite an even scoreline, Galaxy shaded the attacking play, but LAFC’s transition threat always loomed.

Second Half: Fireworks in El Tráfico

50’ ⚽ GOAL – LA Galaxy 1-2 LAFC

Nathan Ordaz put LAFC in front with a composed finish following a beautifully weighted assist from Ryan Hollingshead. The move sliced open the Galaxy defense, and Ordaz’s left-footed effort to the far corner (xG 37%) gave McCarthy no chance. The 21-year-old’s celebration showed what it meant.

61’-70’: Substitutions and Tactical Recalibration

LAFC responded to growing pressure by reshuffling their midfield, bringing in Cengiz Ünder and Jeremy Ebobisse to inject dynamism, while Galaxy countered with Joseph Paintsil and Diego Fagúndez to stretch the LAFC defense.Denis Bouanga received a yellow for a late challenge on Miki Yamane, emblematic of LAFC’s attempts to break the Galaxy rhythm.

77’-87’: Galaxy Chase and Reus Delivers

Galaxy pressed forward, and after a blocked shot by Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus once again took center stage.

87’ ⚽ GOAL – LA Galaxy 2-2 LAFC

Reus produced a moment of magic. Awarded a free kick from central range after a foul on Gabriel Pec, the German veteran curled a precise right-footed shot past a frozen Hugo Lloris into the top right quadrant. Though the xG was only 7%, the execution was sublime. It was a captain’s goal – decisive, creative, and full of class.

Stoppage Time Drama: Late Flurries and Fine Margins

The 11 minutes of added time were relentless:

• 90’+1: Gabriel Pec lashed a shot over the bar from a difficult angle.

• 90’+7: LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead nearly stole the win, but his 23% xG effort was smartly saved by McCarthy.

• 90’+10: A final scramble saw Julián Aude denied by Aaron Long’s last-ditch block in the center of the box, a crucial intervention that preserved parity.

Key Match Stats

Stat	LA Galaxy	LAFC
Possession	53%	47%
Shots (on target)	14 (6)	13 (4)
xG (Expected Goals)	1.41	1.17
Fouls Committed	18	20
Yellow Cards	3	4
Corners	4	3

Tactical Breakdown

LA Galaxy deployed a 4-2-3-1 with Reus given license to drift centrally, pulling LAFC’s midfield out of shape. Their transitions were clean, and Gabriel Pec was particularly bright cutting in from the right.

LAFC relied on quick vertical play with Ordaz and Bouanga thriving on service from wide areas. Hollingshead's overlapping runs were a major asset.

The midfield battle was fierce – Delgado and Tillman wrestled for control, but the frequency of fouls broke up rhythm and frustrated both sides. Referee intervention was frequent and necessary to prevent further escalation.

Man of the Match: Marco Reus (LA Galaxy)

• Goals: 2

• Shots on target: 3

• Key passes: 4

• Touches in final third: 21Reus was at the heart of everything good for Galaxy – dictating tempo, finding pockets of space, and delivering a world-class free-kick to salvage the draw.

Post-Match Quotes

Marco Reus (LA Galaxy):"This rivalry means something special. I felt the energy, and I wanted to give the fans a moment to remember. That free-kick – I knew I had it in me."

Steve Cherundolo (LAFC Manager):"We had control in key phases, but we let it slip with a silly foul. Credit to Reus, but we should’ve killed the game off before that."

Greg Vanney (LA Galaxy Manager):"We fought back with heart. Marco showed leadership, and the boys showed character. We’re building momentum."

Final Verdict

The latest El Tráfico did not disappoint. Tactical depth, individual brilliance, and fierce local pride collided in a drama-filled 2-2 draw. LA Galaxy’s resilience shone through, while LAFC’s transitional strength was again on full display. The rivalry remains one of MLS’s most compelling fixtures – and fans will eagerly await the rematch.