U.S. Open Cup: LA Galaxy emerge victorious from ‘El Tráfico’ with 2-0 win over arch rivals LAFC
This is how you silence your rival! LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig and Tyler Boyd score two sensational goals to seal 2-0 victory over opposing LAFC at El Tráfico and reach US Open Cup quarter-finals
- Ex-Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig made up for a missed penalty in the first half
- The Galaxy will face the Colorado Rapids or Real Salt Lake in the quarters
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Los Angeles Galaxy have won in the first ‘El Tráfico’ of the year after defeating arch-rival LAFC in a 2-0 victory in the Round of 16 of the US Open Cup.
Two quick successive second-half goals from New Zealand-born American striker Tyler Boyd and Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig secured a surprising and much-needed win for the Galaxy as the team forgot about the current MLS standings overnight.
Decorated as one of the most successful North American clubs with a record five MLS Cups and four additional finals appearances, the Galaxy is currently stuck as the last seed of the Western Conference with two wins, three draws and eight losses in 13 games played. season.
Signed for FC Barcelona in the summer, Puig redeemed a first-half penalty saved by LAFC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic with a remarkable solo effort by the LAFC defense that doubled the Galaxy’s lead in the 52nd minute .
That came just three minutes (49′) after second-half substitute Tyler Boyd broke the stalemate with a stunning left foot after cutting into the penalty area from the right of the field.
American forward Tyler Boyd broke the stalemate with a stunning left blast in the 49th minute
The Galaxy will now play either the Colorado Rapids, who they lost 3-1 to in a regular season earlier in May, or Real Salt Lake, who they will face in an MLS game later this month in May. 31.
On the other hand, LAFC will now focus entirely on the standings.
The club is at the top of the Western Conference, with seven wins, four draws and one loss in 12 games played.
Boyd celebrates with forward Javier Hernandez as the Galaxy took the lead in the LA derby
Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig scored a second goal just three minutes after Boyd’s goal
LAFC is currently also leading in terms of the number of goals conceded (10).
Both LA teams meet again in a regular season game, the first ‘El Trafico’ of the new MLS season, on July 4 – America’s Independence Day.
Originally scheduled for February, the game was postponed after bad weather and predicted thunderstorms in the Los Angeles area raised safety concerns.
The derby match would serve as a season opener for both clubs.
It was expected to draw an MLS record 75,000 fans to the Rose Bowl.