Everything except history favors the Los Angeles Football Club ahead of Sunday’s match against the Galaxy.
This year, six games into league play, LAFC is unbeaten. The Galaxy hasn’t won. LAFC is healthy. The Galaxy has suffered with injuries. Key moments keep going LAFC’s way. The Galaxy feels like they can’t catch a break. LAFC supporters are expected to attend the first “El Trafico” of 2023 in droves. Galaxy supporters have issued demands and threatened boycotts of the five-time MLS champions who have not lifted a trophy since 2015.
Depending on your outlook of a derby that prioritizes intensity and sheer madness over standings and form, the teams’ polar opposite starts make the early-season clash either a dangerous moment or a significant chance.
“For them, it’s a huge opportunity to turn their season [around], turn a corner and make the results that have been disappointing so far from their perspective a positive one,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said of the Galaxy (0-3-3, 3 points). “So a lot is riding on the game for them. But it is for us, too. It’s a huge opportunity for us as well.”
Coming into its fifth match in 16 days, LAFC (4-0-2, 14 points) has not conceded a goal in April. However, riding high on a trio of 3-0 victories, including consecutive triumphs over Vancouver to advance to the semifinal round of CONCACAF Champions League, means little even against a team with as many goals as points.
After dropping both contests at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2022, including a U.S. Open Cup knockout game, LAFC is 0-6-2 when it takes the short bus ride south on the 110 freeway.
Carlos Vela remains the lone player from LAFC’s expansion season of 2018. Just like the LAFC captain, everyone else who has adorned the Black & Gold over the past five years knows the same fate on away days against their city rival.
“In the back of our heads, we’re also mindful that we haven’t won over there in Carson,” LAFC midfielder…
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