LOS ANGELES – Are you not entertained?!
A wild 2-2 draw between the LA Galaxy and LAFC on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire added another gem to the collection of classic El Tráfico matches.
A brace from Ghanaian international forward Joseph Paintsil gave the Galaxy an early buffer and quieted the BMO Stadium crowd.
But LAFC’s superstars wouldn’t let their team go down without a fight.
Confidence boost
Denis Bouanga scored his 18th goal of the season with a 53rd-minute strike.
Then, Leo Walta netted the game-tying goal nine minutes later with the help of Son Heung-Min, whose 15 assists this season are tied for first in MLS with Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and FC Cincinnati’s Evander.
With this result, LAFC secured an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot in front of their home fans.
“We are very happy, the club, the players, all of us. We fight for that, and I think we have to be happy because it's not easy for anyone,” interim head coach Xavi Tamarit said.
“I want to say that I am very proud of the team, how we overcame a really difficult situation,” Tamarit added.
“I think we're a team that we're showing that we're willing to fight even in tough times,” said captain and defender Aaron Long.
“I think tonight was not the result that we wanted in terms of a tie, but some ties feel better than others”.
Bouanga balls out
With his goal, Bouanga has scored in eight straight regular-season matches against the Galaxy. Postgame, the Gabon international winger made clear his intentions each time he lines up against LAFC's cross-town rivals.
"I want to kill this team, and I don't know. I score so many goals against them and I love it,” Bouanga told reporters.
Even with the individual praise on the night, he’s focused on what LAFC can do in the postseason.
“We can do something in the playoffs for sure. Some teams don't want to play against us,” said Bouanga.
Following Sunday's heart-pounding El Tráfico, only two regular-season games remain for LAFC, who sit sixth in the Western Conference, but only one point off a coveted top-four spot.
Next up for the Black & Gold? A home match against Minnesota United FC next Sunday (8:30 pm | Apple TV).
