PASADENA, Calif. — The fireworks over the Rose Bowl were always going to be the perfect backdrop.
An anticipated match that was originally scheduled to kick off the Major League Soccer season in epic fashion at the Rose Bowl had to be postponed due to inclement weather in Southern California.
What happened from February to July 4 set the stage perfectly for LA Galaxy and LAFC to renew their rivalry in front of a new MLS record of 82,110 fans. And Riqui Puig made sure the show was worthy of the setting as the original Los Angeles team beat LAFC 2-1.
On paper, it should never have been close – LAFC are the defending Cup champions and winners of the Supporters’ Shield, while the Galaxy lives life down the ladder. But El Trafico always means more, regardless of the current form or any other factors surrounding the teams. It was obvious that the Galaxy were about to set a precedent in what was technically a home game for them, at a stadium that late 1990s OG teams used to play. Apart from a very good chance from LAFC top scorer Denis Bouanga in the 16th minute, the first 45 minutes belonged to the hosts.
Puig, as is usually the case, was a level above everyone else on the pitch. His magic and pace were on full display for all, in a match where the Spaniard had family.
In the 26th minute it paid off as one of his dangerous runs freed up space and he fed Tyler Boyd, who fought off a defender and ripped a banger from the edge of the box to open the scoring. Galaxy continued to dictate the flow and probably could have scored another one, but the lack of finishing that plagued them all year came back to bite.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond had to be replaced at the break by Jonathan Klinsmann due to injury, and the second half looked completely different as LAFC increased the pressure and pinned the Galaxy in their own end.
LAFC’s Timothy Tillman kicked a ball near the post from a corner and Ilie Sánchez was there to equalize in the 57th minute.
But tonight would still belong to the Galaxy. It was just like fate. And Puig was rewarded for his sensational performance with his own goal, triggered by a magnificent cross ball from Douglas Costa to Boyd, who returned the favor with an assist.
Carlos Vela thought he had equalized in the 84th but was slightly offside. The faint roar of LAFC fans was drowned out by the increasingly loud “LA Galaxy” chants into the night.
Blue and yellow smoke followed and swept through the air in Pasadena.
This games. This rivalry.
LAFC is clearly the best team right now, but Los Angeles was one team and one team at a historic time for MLS and football in the United States.
Fittingly, it was the LA Galaxy.