PASADENA — It didn’t take long for the Los Angeles Football Club to provide the fireworks.
In a scoreless game, late in the first half, LAFC’s pressure ticked up, leading to a Kei Kamara goal off of a corner kick in the 40th minute and Denis Bouanga converted a penalty kick in the 44th for a two-goal halftime lead against the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.
The Galaxy found some life in the second half. The Galaxy cut the deficit in half on Gabriel Pec’s goal in the 56th minute and had another good chance minutes later, but couldn’t convert and LAFC held on for a 2-1 win in front of 70,076 Thursday.
The rivalry series has only produced three shutout games and never a scoreless draw. The win was the third consecutive for LAFC in the El Trafico series, increased their unbeaten streak on the season to 10 games and moves the club into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference (13-4-4, 43 points).
The loss snapped the Galaxy’s (11-4-7, 40 points four-game winning streak.
This was the second consecutive meeting between the city rivals at the Rose Bowl, home of the Galaxy from their start in 1996 until 2003. Last season, the Galaxy won 2-1 in front of 82,110.
This meeting had a little bit extra motivation. Both teams entered the game tied for first place in the Western Conference. This was also the first time in their brief, but loud rivalry that both teams have been at or near the top of the conference.
Riqui Puig had the first and only real opportunity for the Galaxy in the first half. Puig, who was back in the starting lineup, raced 75 yards from the defensive end and fired a shot from outside the 18 that Hugo Lloris was able to play out for a corner.
Aside from that, it was a quiet first half for the Galaxy as Paintsil, Pec and Joveljic were unable to put any real pressure on the LAFC defense.
On the other side, LAFC first real opportunity on goal came in the 14th minute, Eduard Atuesta’s shot from 20 yards hit the post. The chances started to come fluidly later in the half. Mateusz Bogusz forced Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy into action with a diving save.
In the 40th minute, Kamara cashed in the pressure as he rose up and banged in a header off of a corner kick. A couple of minutes later, Eduard Atuesta was fouled by Galaxy defender Julian Aude. Referee Drew Fischer went to the video monitor and ruled it was a penalty kick, which Bouanga converted for the 2-0 lead.
The teams will conclude their regular-season series Sept. 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the first game this season 2-1, back on April 6.
Both teams have a short turnaround for the weekend. LAFC will be on the road against the Houston Dynamo and the Galaxy will home against Minnesota United.
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