The Pitch: Galaxy in the Driver's Seat Ahead of El Trafico

MLS Communications

Rivalries renewed and rivalries brewed, the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, and an AI-powered MLS NEXT Pro broadcast highlight this week's marquee matches.

El Trafico This Saturday: This Saturday the first El Trafico of 2024 will see the LA Galaxy looking to extend their six-game unbeaten run to start the season at the home of their crosstown rivals, LAFC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
MLS clubs host LIGA MX in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarters Midweek: the three MLS clubs will host LIGA MX opposition in the first leg of the Quarterfinals. With all three LIGA MX teams sitting atop the LIGA MX standings, the quarterfinal round will be among the toughest tests ever faced by MLS clubs.
- TUESDAY
  - Reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew hosts Tigres UANL on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET).
  - New England Revolution hosts seven-time Concacaf champions Club América (9 p.m. ET).
- WEDNESDAY
  - Inter Miami CF hosts CF Monterrey, a club that has won two of the last five editions of the tournament, on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET)
Budding Rivalry in the East: New York Red Bulls travel to an undefeated FC Cincinnati side in what promises to be an intense match courtesy of recent playoff history.

AI-Powered MLS NEXT Pro Broadcast: Orlando City B and Inter Miami CF II will play a regular season match today at 6 p.m. ET at Generation adidas Cup, with broadcasts in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese by Camb.AI (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

Galaxy in the Drivers Seat Ahead of El Trafico

With the LA Galaxy sitting in first place in the West and unbeaten through their first six games (3-0-3) for the first time since 2010 (5-0-1), the team goes into Saturday’s El Trafico match against crosstown rival LAFC with a new air of confidence.

But LAFC look to hold their ground at home. LAFC have not lost to the Galaxy at home since 2020 and are undefeated at home this season.

Integral for the Galaxy:
Dejan Joveljic has scored five goals in six appearances for the Galaxy and is currently tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. Newcomers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have combined for three goals between them as the Galaxy’s offensive fire power is just one goal behind Inter Miami CF (14) for most so far this season.

LAFC Stars Starting to Shine:
LAFC stars in Denis Bouanga and Eduard Atuesta are starting to find their feet with two goals each in their last two games, and it is on LAFC to show they have not lost a step since their MLS Cup appearance in 2023.

LA Galaxy's pre-game press conference on Thursday, April 4 at 11:30 a.m. PT / 2:30 p.m. ET with head coach Greg Vanney and select players | Join Here (Password: 692971).

LAFC's pre-game press conference on Thursday, April 4 at 11:45 a.m. PT / 2:45 p.m. ET with head coach Steve Cherundolo and select players | Join Here

Early Signs of Supporters Shield Favorites

History shows that a strong start is a good indicator of a Supporters’ Shield contender.

Since 2015, Supporters’ Shield winners have averaged 12 points through the first six games of the season.*

Through six games this season, only FC Cincinnati and the LA Galaxy have hit that mark, with both sides having opposite approaches to success. Cincinnati has been ironclad in defense while the Galaxy continue to find goals from anywhere and anyone.

Since adding U.S. Men’s National Team defender Miles Robinson to their backline in the offseason, Cincinnati have conceded the fewest goals of any team in MLS through six games (three), and goalkeeper Roman Celentano leads the league with three clean sheets.

The Galaxy’s offense has been firing on all cylinders across the field, as their seven different goal scorers are one behind three other clubs for the most in MLS this season. Serbia international forward Dejan Joveljic’s five goals is tied for second-most in the league and is just one away of equaling his total goal tally in 2023.

*Excluding the 2020 season that was paused due to COVID-19

Inter Miami Academy players shared a special moment with David Beckham as he gave them a GA Cup send-off.
This April Fools’ Day, Dániel Sallói of Sporting Kansas City orchestrated a prank on his teammate Jake Davis during what Jake anticipated to be a routine school visit.
Joined by fellow fans, a Toronto FC supporters couple exchanged vows in the supporters section ahead of Saturday’s game. (

From the Spot - Colorado Rapids Djordje Mihailovic

Colorado Rapids midfielder Djordje Mihailovic finds himself at ease when drawing back the string of his longbow or casting a line from his fishing rod into the water. It’s a feeling of control when he hits the target or reels in a fish like the feeling of accomplishment when assisting a teammate for a goal or scoring a goal himself.

He was a marquee signing for the club this past offseason, adding an international level player to the heart of their midfield. Mihailovic, a U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder, showed why he’s the center piece of the Rapids on Matchday 7 with an assist to the opening goal of the game before scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of the game to secure a come-from-behind win over reigning Western Conference champion LAFC.

The young playmaker established himself as a rising star with Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal, and now Mihailovic is starting to show that he is a star in this league. Mihailovic and the Rapids will look to play giant killers again against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

Generation adidas Cup Excitement Reaches Knockout Rounds

The knockout rounds for the 2024 Generation adidas Cup are set as MLS and international academies go head-to-head with no room for error. MLS teams have dominated knockout rounds in recent Generation adidas Cups, and this edition will feature some tantalizing matchups on Wednesday, April 3:

U-15 St. Louis CITY SC vs. U-15 Arsenal F.C. (12 p.m. ET, MLS Season on Apple TV) – Two of the favorites in the U-15 age group meet when St. Louis CITY SC and Arsenal FC play against one another. Arsenal’s run has been led by standout goalkeeper Johanan Lo Tutala while St. Louis’ Alexander Jundt scored the game-winning goal against Manchester United to send them through.
U-17 PSV Eindhoven vs. U-17 New York City FC (2:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season on Apple TV) – Arguably two of the most talented rosters in the U-17 age group square off Wednesday afternoon. PSV was one of three U-17 clubs with at least eight points while New York City FC won back-to-back matches to punch their ticket to the knockout rounds.
U-17 Philadelphia Union vs. U-17 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (5 p.m. ET, MLS Season on Apple TV) – Jeonbuk has impressed many with three wins (one shootout win) in Group G action, including a decisive 2-0 victory on Monday. For Philadelphia, the club bounced back on the final day of group action with a resounding 4-1 victory, including standout performances by Jamir Johnson (two goals) and Cavan Sullivan.

Four games will be on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV this Wednesday as the tournament enters the one-and-done portion with all to play for.

To assist in your coverage of the 2024 MLS season, the MLS Communications staff has provided the following media resources, all of which are available on MLSsoccer.com/Media-Resources.