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| LA Galaxy v LAFC: MLS – live! | LA Galaxy v LAFC: MLS – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Never mind. | |
| Immediately the Galaxy are on the front foot, with Boateng running up the middle before pushing the ball to his right for Pontius, who checks back to his left and catches a decent shot that is on target and forces a save from Miller to his right. It was at a nice height for the goalkeeper, but that’s maybe a small moment for the hosts to build on in these opening minutes. | |
| Twitter chats: | |
| I wore jumpers to nightclubs for six months after that film | |
| I don’t think either of us should leave the house for a bit... | |
| Half-time thoughts: | |
| For real this time. Well, that was quite a start from LAFC. Vela’s first goal was sublime. His second could have killed the game just as the Galaxy were beginning to find their feet. LAFC looked sharper all over the field, while the Galaxy might charitably be described as being in early season form. It doesn’t help the hosts that they’re missing both dos Santos brothers, Alessandrini, and that Lletget is still making his way back from serious injury. Given that this is a side that looks like leaning on its ability to outscore opponents rather than shut them out, it’s perhaps no surprise to see them struggling with such a compromised attack, but they’ve done nothing to help themselves with sloppy turnovers and generally being slower all over the field. | |
| LAFC, for their part, will look forward to more of the same in the second half. Absorbing what limited pressure the Galaxy have managed to create with Feltscher’s crosses from the right and counter-attacking with pace and smart angled passes behind the Galaxy defense. If the Galaxy score early, it might change the complexion of the game of course, but for now Bob Bradley couldn’t ask for anything more from how this is going. | |
| Half-time thoughts: | |
| Actually, before we get to those, let’s note that the beautiful game is truly a global spectacle: | |
| #LAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/KWAQQ4r9pw | |
| Blessing gets up a little groggily and may not get back on before half-time. Play resumes though, and there’s one more push for the Galaxy. Feltscher to the byline again and this time he drives a low cross that’s deflected for a corner. It’s headed clear, and Perry Kitchen’s awkward shot from outside the box is deflected off his own player for a goal kick that won’t be taken, because we’re at half-time. | |
| Half-time thoughts in a moment. | |
| 45 mins +1: The Galaxy kind of need this to stop so they can regroup. Feltscher again gets gamely forward and wriggles to the byline to scoop a cross to the center of the box, but it’s nowhere near a white shirt, and LAFC clear. We’ll have two minutes of stoppage time. Blessing catches an accidental arm from Lletget during the first one, and we’ll have an injury break before half-time. | |
| 44 mins: Remember my little capsule mention of Ola Kamara (16 mins) ? Chris Pontius just touched the ball. He too, is on the field. | |
| 42 mins: And right on cue, another beautiful ball is spun forward into the path of Rossi, who loses a little momentum in choosing to check back for the shot, before shooting high and wide at the near post. But it’s another warning of what LAFC can do. | |
| 40 mins: Vela and Rossi have understandably grabbed most of the early attention for LAFC, but the intelligence and playmaking of Feilhaber has found a perfect outlet in this midfield. He’s stretching play, finding angles and openings and generally scaring the Galaxy midfield in this half. | |
| 38 mins: Feltscher has not had an easy time of it on the defensive side of the game, with Rossi tormenting him at will. But going forward he’s forced a couple of glimpses at goal with his crossing. He sends another ball towards Kamara now, and for a brief moment there’s a little bit of chaos/head tennis in the box, but the danger passes. Still it’s something for Sigi Schmid to smile encouragingly about at half-time, if he doesn’t opt to just show one of the club’s promo videos of Zlatan. | |
| 36 mins: Jakovic clatters Kamara, who has momentarily dropped deeper into midfield to help out. At the moment it’s looking like his most promising way of actually touching the ball. The Galaxy understandably looking a little shaken by the second goal. | |
| 34 mins: The Galaxy trying to make adjustments to compete in midfield a little more, but as yet, they’re still being overrun by sharper opponents. | |
| 32 mins: Another chance for LA as Feilhaber threads another ball behind the defense for Urena. Bingham does just enough to stop the initial chance, but the ball breaks to Vela near the same spot he scored his first. He goes for the same move, but this time Ashley Cole manages to block his shot with his foot. | 32 mins: Another chance for LA as Feilhaber threads another ball behind the defense for Urena. Bingham does just enough to stop the initial chance, but the ball breaks to Vela near the same spot he scored his first. He goes for the same move, but this time Ashley Cole manages to block his shot with his foot. |
| 30 mins: The Fox commentary team pointing out that the Galaxy had only lost 6 times at home in the four seasons before 2017. The fortress reputation of the StubHub Center took a disastrous hit last year however. And if this result holds this would be their 10th home loss since the start of 2017. | 30 mins: The Fox commentary team pointing out that the Galaxy had only lost 6 times at home in the four seasons before 2017. The fortress reputation of the StubHub Center took a disastrous hit last year however. And if this result holds this would be their 10th home loss since the start of 2017. |
| That’s, like, a lot. | That’s, like, a lot. |
| 28 mins: Immediately before the goal Feltscher had crossed the ball just behind Kamara as the Galaxy tried to nurture what looks to be their most promising approach to goal so far. But the difference in efficiencies between these two teams has been such that they’re not now level at 1-1, but down 2-0 before the half hour mark. | 28 mins: Immediately before the goal Feltscher had crossed the ball just behind Kamara as the Galaxy tried to nurture what looks to be their most promising approach to goal so far. But the difference in efficiencies between these two teams has been such that they’re not now level at 1-1, but down 2-0 before the half hour mark. |
| That man again! Urena draws out defenders on the right, prods the ball to Rossi on the edge of the box, and he in turn passes into the path of Vela. Vela wriggles his way around Bingham, turns back to face goal and chips the ball up and off the underside of the bar to double LAFC’s lead! | That man again! Urena draws out defenders on the right, prods the ball to Rossi on the edge of the box, and he in turn passes into the path of Vela. Vela wriggles his way around Bingham, turns back to face goal and chips the ball up and off the underside of the bar to double LAFC’s lead! |
| 24 mins: The game has settled from the original blistering pace from LAFC, though they’re still looking the more notably dangerous in moving the ball around in the final third. The Galaxy trying to use width when they can, but are being funneled inside to the part of the field where LAFC fancy their chances more often than not. | 24 mins: The game has settled from the original blistering pace from LAFC, though they’re still looking the more notably dangerous in moving the ball around in the final third. The Galaxy trying to use width when they can, but are being funneled inside to the part of the field where LAFC fancy their chances more often than not. |
| 22 mins: Detecting a theme on Twitter: | 22 mins: Detecting a theme on Twitter: |
| Now fully expect a late Zlatan stunner to pull level after an opener like that. Wow. | Now fully expect a late Zlatan stunner to pull level after an opener like that. Wow. |
| He does have to get on the field first... | He does have to get on the field first... |
| For now, the Galaxy get their first serious look, as a cross to Kamara forces a fingertip reaction save from Miller for a corner. | For now, the Galaxy get their first serious look, as a cross to Kamara forces a fingertip reaction save from Miller for a corner. |
| 20 mins: The game has skipped by at a high tempo so far, and we’re almost halfway through the first half. Blessing takes a hard tackle now though and there’s a pause to gather breath before the free kick. It’s taken short, but for once the Galaxy look the more alert in closing down the move before it can begin to edge goalwards. | 20 mins: The game has skipped by at a high tempo so far, and we’re almost halfway through the first half. Blessing takes a hard tackle now though and there’s a pause to gather breath before the free kick. It’s taken short, but for once the Galaxy look the more alert in closing down the move before it can begin to edge goalwards. |
| 18 mins: Galaxy easing into the game a little trying to find space down the right in particular, but they’re struggling to create overloads that truly stretch LAFC. Meanwhile, every time LAFC go forward they look like they might find a telling pass. | 18 mins: Galaxy easing into the game a little trying to find space down the right in particular, but they’re struggling to create overloads that truly stretch LAFC. Meanwhile, every time LAFC go forward they look like they might find a telling pass. |
| Boateng goes over in the box now, but he’s optimistic if he thinks he’s getting a penalty there. The Galaxy need something. | Boateng goes over in the box now, but he’s optimistic if he thinks he’s getting a penalty there. The Galaxy need something. |
| 16 mins: Ola Kamara quietly made a name for himself as a really good MLS goalscorer at Columbus. Long term he should prove to be a shrewd piece of business by the Galaxy, away from the fireworks of the other striker they just signed. Today, so far, he’s...on the field. I know because I just checked the team sheet. | 16 mins: Ola Kamara quietly made a name for himself as a really good MLS goalscorer at Columbus. Long term he should prove to be a shrewd piece of business by the Galaxy, away from the fireworks of the other striker they just signed. Today, so far, he’s...on the field. I know because I just checked the team sheet. |
| 14 mins: Rossi is causing all sorts of problems down the right and the Galaxy might want to put dealing with him at the top of their list of running repairs. | 14 mins: Rossi is causing all sorts of problems down the right and the Galaxy might want to put dealing with him at the top of their list of running repairs. |
| 12 mins: Twitter speaks: | 12 mins: Twitter speaks: |
| @grahamparkerfc gotta luv Zlatan he talks the talk & walks the walk. He’ll bang in the goals left right & centre. The biggest ego in the sport in the biggest ego city in the world. LA won’t know what hit it. Dream starts he doesn’t do he does reality he’ll score the winner! #Lion | @grahamparkerfc gotta luv Zlatan he talks the talk & walks the walk. He’ll bang in the goals left right & centre. The biggest ego in the sport in the biggest ego city in the world. LA won’t know what hit it. Dream starts he doesn’t do he does reality he’ll score the winner! #Lion |
| Well, it’s possible that all events so far are simply a matter of Zlatan bending time and space to have LAFC exactly where he wants them. It’s a very realistic illusion though. | Well, it’s possible that all events so far are simply a matter of Zlatan bending time and space to have LAFC exactly where he wants them. It’s a very realistic illusion though. |
| And now Boateng finally hits a Galaxy shot in anger from just outside the box. It’s high, wide and ugly, but it’s a start. | And now Boateng finally hits a Galaxy shot in anger from just outside the box. It’s high, wide and ugly, but it’s a start. |
| 10 mins: So yes, about that response LAFC were needing. They’ve seized control of this game early and the Galaxy have done nothing going forward. Feltscher does get forward for a moment but his cross is week and straight at Miller. And immediately LAFC go up the other end and Rossi squeezes a ball across goal from a tight angle with Bingham committed. The Galaxy are not enjoying this one bit right now. | 10 mins: So yes, about that response LAFC were needing. They’ve seized control of this game early and the Galaxy have done nothing going forward. Feltscher does get forward for a moment but his cross is week and straight at Miller. And immediately LAFC go up the other end and Rossi squeezes a ball across goal from a tight angle with Bingham committed. The Galaxy are not enjoying this one bit right now. |
| 8 mins: The Galaxy trying to respond by bringing Lletget into the game down the right, but so far they’re finding no space, and their understandably exuberant guests are having their pick of passes through the midfield. Perry Kitchen has been a negligible presence for them so far, and LAFC are working far harder out of possession than the hosts. | 8 mins: The Galaxy trying to respond by bringing Lletget into the game down the right, but so far they’re finding no space, and their understandably exuberant guests are having their pick of passes through the midfield. Perry Kitchen has been a negligible presence for them so far, and LAFC are working far harder out of possession than the hosts. |
| Boateng loses the ball coming out of the box, and it falls to Vela near the right corner of the box. He drops his shoulder to make a little space and then sends an exquisite curling left foot shot up and over Bingham into the top far left corner! Golazo etc! | Boateng loses the ball coming out of the box, and it falls to Vela near the right corner of the box. He drops his shoulder to make a little space and then sends an exquisite curling left foot shot up and over Bingham into the top far left corner! Golazo etc! |
| That’s a rather special way to inaugurate a rivalry. | That’s a rather special way to inaugurate a rivalry. |
| 6 mins: All LAFC early on and this time it’s Blessing who strides into the box on the right before cutting back for a shot. Again it’s straight at Bingham. LAFC attack again though and....oooh....hang on... | 6 mins: All LAFC early on and this time it’s Blessing who strides into the box on the right before cutting back for a shot. Again it’s straight at Bingham. LAFC attack again though and....oooh....hang on... |
| 4 mins: Ashley Cole gets in the inaugural BIG TACKLE of the game on Blessing. Then Vela wriggles his way free in space ad works the ball to his left where Rossi should have done better on the overlap. A weak shot nestles in Bingham’s arms. | 4 mins: Ashley Cole gets in the inaugural BIG TACKLE of the game on Blessing. Then Vela wriggles his way free in space ad works the ball to his left where Rossi should have done better on the overlap. A weak shot nestles in Bingham’s arms. |
| 2 mins: We’re back underway again with LAFC pushing the ball around the Galaxy midfield looking for an early opening. | 2 mins: We’re back underway again with LAFC pushing the ball around the Galaxy midfield looking for an early opening. |
| PEEEEP! And we’re off! No we’re not. The field is covered in LA Galaxy streamers immediately and the referee pauses for a quick clean up. This gives me time to note the Chivas USA banner being waved in the Galaxy supporters end — a reminder of would-be LA rivals past. | PEEEEP! And we’re off! No we’re not. The field is covered in LA Galaxy streamers immediately and the referee pauses for a quick clean up. This gives me time to note the Chivas USA banner being waved in the Galaxy supporters end — a reminder of would-be LA rivals past. |
| Team news: | Team news: |
| LA Galaxy: Bingham; Feltscher, Steres, Skjelvic, Cole; Kitchen, Carrasco, Pontius,Lletget, Boateng; Kamara | LA Galaxy: Bingham; Feltscher, Steres, Skjelvic, Cole; Kitchen, Carrasco, Pontius,Lletget, Boateng; Kamara |
| LAFC: Miller, Beitashour, Jacovic, Ciman, Moutinho; Feilhaber, Kaye, Blessing, Vela, Rossi; Urena | LAFC: Miller, Beitashour, Jacovic, Ciman, Moutinho; Feilhaber, Kaye, Blessing, Vela, Rossi; Urena |
| We’re about to kick off... | We’re about to kick off... |
| LAFC | LAFC |
| Teams are coming out right now, and let’s point out that for all the hype and froth around LAFC, Bob Bradley has got them coming out of the blocks looking sharp and organized, and with Designated Player Carlos Vela pulling strings alongside Diego Rossi, and Benny Feilhaber providing his usual guile in midfield, they’ve quickly proved to be a devastating attacking force. And with Laurent Ciman organizing at the back, were you to look at both sides on form alone, you might shade this for the visitors. | Teams are coming out right now, and let’s point out that for all the hype and froth around LAFC, Bob Bradley has got them coming out of the blocks looking sharp and organized, and with Designated Player Carlos Vela pulling strings alongside Diego Rossi, and Benny Feilhaber providing his usual guile in midfield, they’ve quickly proved to be a devastating attacking force. And with Laurent Ciman organizing at the back, were you to look at both sides on form alone, you might shade this for the visitors. |
| But as NYCFC could tell you, getting your first win over established rivals can take a minute... | But as NYCFC could tell you, getting your first win over established rivals can take a minute... |
| LA Galaxy | LA Galaxy |
| From the obligatory delirious fans at the airport, to the videos cranked out to hail his arrival, you get the sense the Galaxy staff and fans have rather enjoyed stealing the attention from their upstart neighbors with the arrival of Zlatan, and the great man, obligingly, is not the type to underplay that attention. | From the obligatory delirious fans at the airport, to the videos cranked out to hail his arrival, you get the sense the Galaxy staff and fans have rather enjoyed stealing the attention from their upstart neighbors with the arrival of Zlatan, and the great man, obligingly, is not the type to underplay that attention. |
| Ask anyone in the Galaxy hierarchy and they’ll tell you they’re just concentrating on themselves and how to take the next steps as a team, rather than reacting to the new presence in town. A marketing tagline of “Unrivaled since 96” probably tells you everything you need to know about how they’d like to present themselves. | Ask anyone in the Galaxy hierarchy and they’ll tell you they’re just concentrating on themselves and how to take the next steps as a team, rather than reacting to the new presence in town. A marketing tagline of “Unrivaled since 96” probably tells you everything you need to know about how they’d like to present themselves. |
| But the best editions of the Galaxy over the years have always had their fair share of trailblazing swagger. Pre-Zlatan, Sigig Schmid looked to have quietly retooled the team from a disastrous 2017, but they were looking like a decent playoff prospect rather than the benchmark team they were for most of this decade. | But the best editions of the Galaxy over the years have always had their fair share of trailblazing swagger. Pre-Zlatan, Sigig Schmid looked to have quietly retooled the team from a disastrous 2017, but they were looking like a decent playoff prospect rather than the benchmark team they were for most of this decade. |
| Zlatan, in and of himself, doesn’t change the team’s prospects overnight, especially given the stage he’s at in his recovery. But he instantly gifts that swagger and perhaps for the first time in this incipient rivalry, he puts the pressure back on LAFC to make a move of their own. | Zlatan, in and of himself, doesn’t change the team’s prospects overnight, especially given the stage he’s at in his recovery. But he instantly gifts that swagger and perhaps for the first time in this incipient rivalry, he puts the pressure back on LAFC to make a move of their own. |
| No Dos Santos brothers today — international duty has kept them out of the familiar top-heavy LA attack. Zlatan isn’t in the starting line up either. | No Dos Santos brothers today — international duty has kept them out of the familiar top-heavy LA attack. Zlatan isn’t in the starting line up either. |
| In fact, look at the Galaxy’s defense this afternoon — that’s still the big question mark that follows all those Zlatan exclamation marks. | In fact, look at the Galaxy’s defense this afternoon — that’s still the big question mark that follows all those Zlatan exclamation marks. |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Afternoon all, and welcome to El Trafico (I don’t make the names, I just report them...). | Afternoon all, and welcome to El Trafico (I don’t make the names, I just report them...). |
| ZlatanZlatanZlatanZlatan... | ZlatanZlatanZlatanZlatan... |
| LAFC had done a great job of being a shiny new object in South California up until this week. A great start to the season had built on the first impression of some choice branding, and what’s shaping up to be one of the iconic stadiums in MLS. Yes, the LA Galaxy might have been the incumbent team, a five-time MLS Champion and general tentpole presence in the league, but LAFC quickly transcended novelty to announce themselves as a serious contender for hearts and minds in the city. | LAFC had done a great job of being a shiny new object in South California up until this week. A great start to the season had built on the first impression of some choice branding, and what’s shaping up to be one of the iconic stadiums in MLS. Yes, the LA Galaxy might have been the incumbent team, a five-time MLS Champion and general tentpole presence in the league, but LAFC quickly transcended novelty to announce themselves as a serious contender for hearts and minds in the city. |
| But as the first LA derby loomed this weekend, the Galaxy pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Or rather, a lion. And now zLAtan is a thing, and the Galaxy have hauled the narrative back into their control. | But as the first LA derby loomed this weekend, the Galaxy pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Or rather, a lion. And now zLAtan is a thing, and the Galaxy have hauled the narrative back into their control. |
| They still have to play each other though. And that’s why we’re here. | They still have to play each other though. And that’s why we’re here. |
| I’ll be back shortly with a little more build up and team news, but in the meantime, just know that Zlatan is at least suited up for today, the LAFC fans are already packed into their allocated corner of the StubHub Center, and that you can email me at graham.parker@theguardian.com or send your pithy snark to @grahamparkerfc | I’ll be back shortly with a little more build up and team news, but in the meantime, just know that Zlatan is at least suited up for today, the LAFC fans are already packed into their allocated corner of the StubHub Center, and that you can email me at graham.parker@theguardian.com or send your pithy snark to @grahamparkerfc |
| Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read Chris Young’s piece on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first day with the Galaxy. | Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read Chris Young’s piece on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first day with the Galaxy. |