The MLS is Back tournament also means that the league premier rivalry “El Trafico” is back when LA Galaxy and LAFC face off on Saturday, July 18, 2020. Both teams are looking to bounce back from tough opening group games. This game will air live on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. EST.
LA Galaxy sit at the bottom of Group F, with 0 points, after one group stage game and could be in big trouble of not advancing with no result on Saturday.
LAFC are in third place in the Group F, with one point, but would advance as one of the best third place teams. A win Saturday would put LAFC through to the knockout stages.
The top two teams from each group and the four best third place teams all advance to the knockout stages. Entering Wednesday, July 15, 2020, LAFAC (one point), Toronto FC (one), Seattle (one), and Sporting Kansas City (0) are the four third place teams that would advance.
Below is my pick for the MLS action between the LA Galaxy and LAFC. All odds are from William Hill Sportsbook.
LA Galaxy (+300) vs LAFC (-150) Draw (+310)
The LA Galaxy got their tournament started with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers. The game was tied at the half, but Jeremy Ebobisse put the Timbers ahead in the 59th minute and Sebastian Blanco added insurance in the 66th minute. The Galaxy went a man up in the 75th minute, after Dario Zuparic got his second yellow and sent off. Chicharito took advantage of this and brought the LA Galaxy within one in the 88th minute. The Galaxy missed a penalty in the 12th minute and had a goal ruled off for offside in this one. LA now has one draw and two losses this MLS season.
LAFC played in one of the best games of the tournament so far when they played to a 3-3 draw against the Houston Dynamo. It was a crazy first half that saw four goals scored and the Dynamo take a 3-1 lead into the break. Memo Rodriguez scored two goals and Alberth Ellis added the third for Houston. Bradley Wright-Phillips got the scoring started for LAFC and Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez helped the team to a draw. It was a typical exciting LAFC game. LAFC now have one win and two, 3-3, draws this MLS season.
Series History: These two clubs have met six times in the past and the LA Galaxy hold a slim 2-3-1 advantage. The last time these two played, LAFC got their first win in the rivalry with a 5-3 triumph.
Soccer Prediction: Something is missing with the LA Galaxy, so I am going to back LAFC to get the win in El Trafico.
2020 Results: 82-67