By Jaime Uribarri
Not all El Tráficos are created equal.
Matchday 32’s Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire clash, for example, comes with major implications for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs when LAFC host the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium (9 pm ET | Apple TV).
With the Black & Gold sitting sixth in the Western Conference table, two spots above their crosstown rivals as the regular season hits the final stretch, an all-out dogfight is expected for the 28th edition of El Tráfico.
“It adds a little bit more pressure and tension,” LAFC defender Sergi Palencia told reporters on Friday. “But in the end, it’s 11 against 11, a derby, and we know each other really well. So, it’s gonna be a war.”
Galaxy homegrown defender Harbor Miller echoed the same sentiment: “It’s always gonna be one of the biggest games of the season, if not the biggest. The biggest thing is it’s gonna be a battle. It’s gonna be a war.”
Match Trailer | LAFC battle LA Galaxy in El Tráfico
LAFC's playoff push
LAFC will clinch a playoff berth with a win or a draw. However, with just three games remaining, all three points are essential to secure a top-four finish and the home-field advantage in Round One of the postseason.
Led by the superstar duo of Son Heung-Min (7g/15a) and all-time leading scorer Denis Bouanga (17g/9a), the Black & Gold are on 46 points, two behind the fourth-place San Jose Earthquakes, who visit third-place FC Dallas on Saturday.
Both Designated Players scored, as did former Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado, in the first El Tráfico of the season, a 3-0 Black & Gold rout at Dignity Health Sports Park in July. The result leveled the all-time El Tráfico record at 10 wins apiece, along with seven draws.
“This situation is different. But for sure, they’re gonna use that to motivate themselves and to come with more intensity than ever,” said Palencia. "And we have to be ready for that. We have to know what’s at stake, and we are ready.
“We just want to beat these guys again.”
Galaxy quest
The Galaxy, meanwhile, are in Wild Card positioning as they seek their first playoff berth since their MLS Cup-winning 2024 campaign.
Undefeated in two, the record six-time league champs have won three out of their last five matches behind the play of legendary German midfielder Marco Reus, who has a team-best 20 goal contributions (8g/12a), and the DP attacking duo of João Klauss (9g/0a) and Joseph Paintsil (5g/5a).
“The team continues to move forward,” said head coach Greg Vanney ahead of a possibly season-defining El Tráfico. “To be able to go on the road in a huge match, not just a huge match in the standings, but a huge match emotionally. Obviously, a derby against a good team on the other side with lots of talented players.
“Again, a result here just shows that we’re continuing to progress.”