LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 18,2019) – It’s here: The Battle for LA. The first match circled when schedules were released, has finally arrived and in true Hollywood fashion, with plenty of drama. Last season, for the most part, was a learning year for Los Angeles FC, and no lesson proved harder than that first trip to Carson.
That day, they learned no lead was safe, watching a three goal lead evaporate in an eventual 4-3 loss. However, this year’s LAFC is far from the expansion side that the Galaxy saw all of last season.
LAFC and Galaxy Battle for LA in first meeting of 2019
This season for LAFC, has been about two things, first and foremost, winning the MLS Cup. However, their second goal has been to avenge any and all shortcomings suffered last year. The match with the Galaxy is a chance for LAFC to not only cross another name of their list, but do something they have yet to do. Beat the Galaxy.
Another First
It may be shocking to some, but for all of the accolades and talk of dominance, LAFC have yet to defeat their main rivals. With a record of 0-1-2, the Galaxy remain the lone team in the West not to have fallen to the Black and Gold. In a season that has been a self-proclaimed ‘revenge tour’ no match has been anticipated more than this one. In addition to the three points, LAFC will look to do what they’ve done all season, make a statement.
Galaxy’s Form
The home side come into the match with a record of 3-3-0 over their last six matches. Lead man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has scored four of the team’s eight goals during that span. However, the most concerning number for the Galaxy should be ten. It’s the number of goals they have conceded over the last six games, and with the league’s best attack coming in rested, things can turn ugly quick. Side note, the number ten also belongs to one Carlos Vela, another cause for concern if you’re the Galaxy.
Ticket-Gate 2019
Rivalry week is usually filled with bad jokes, poor banter, and overly aggressive commentary. However, every now and then, a rivalry reaches levels of bizarre. This past week saw just that when Wednesday night, many within the LAFC supporter’s group tweeted out a similar message.
Throughout the night, accusations of the LA Galaxy cancelling tickets, in order to suppress LAFC support, began reaching a fever pitch. Reporter for the LA Times, Kevin Baxter, reached out to the Galaxy and was given this response.
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time something like that has happened within the Battle for LA. Last season saw Galaxy fans accusing LAFC of revoking tickets to known Galaxy supporters. While there has been no official word from either club, about either incident, one thing is clear, something has to happen. There seems to be too much smoke from both sides for there not to be some fire.
While it may be fun to joke around about pettiness, the fact that supporters from both sides, have had tickets taken away, is no joke. MLS has taken major steps to help grow the league, the last thing they need are supporters being stripped of the chance to support. Atmosphere and passion are what make this game so beautiful, without it, you have nothing.
