LAFC and Galaxy Clash Once Again in the Postseason
October 24th, 2019, LAFC and LA Galaxy met for the first time in the MLS Playoffs in which LAFC ended their winless streak against the Galaxy and advanced to their first ever Western Conference Final defeating them 5-3. Three years later these two rivals would do battle in the Playoffs once again. Your 2022 Supporters’ Shield Champions would play host to the Galaxy. Who a week prior had knocked out Nashville SC and were already in playoff mode. It would be once again a bonkers night at the Banc as El Trafico delivered once again.
Denis Bouanga Has Arrived
While the hero of the night was Chicho Arango with his last-minute game winner, this was the coming out party for Denis Bouanga. Bouanga who was continuing to adapt to MLS has not been as involved with LAFC as many hoped. While his goal against Portland showed flashes of the player he could be, Bouanga still had not exploded like many hoped. That was until their game against the LA Galaxy. Bouanga would nab himself a brace and put LAFC on his back and helped them move on to the Western Conference Final. Without his goals who knows if LAFC would have advanced. Along with Bouanga a ton of credit also has to go to Chicho Arango. As the Columbian scored the game winning goal in the 93rd minute. Once again Bouanga played a part in the third goal. As he volleyed the shot that Bond left in the area and Chicho pounced on it to score the winner. This was a perplexed season for Arango as he led the team in goals. Yet, he was being shopped around for a new destination. Many fans were stunned as he has been a key player last season and stepped up once again this season. You could see how much this goal meant to Arango as he ran to the field level seats and kissed his wife. Emotions ran wild with Chicho as he had 22,000 fans screaming of joy and relief with his goal. With this victory LAFC moves on to the Western Conference Finals to face off against Austin FC.
Onto The Western Conference Final
LAFC will now move on to the Western Conference Final, where they will face off against Austin FC. A team that is slowly becoming one of LAFC’s new rivals. Austin swept the season series defeating LAFC twice by a score of 2-1 in LA and 4-1 in Austin. Austin defeated city rivals FC Dallas 2-1 to advance to this position. In total these two teams have met four times and have split the series to 2 wins a piece. LAFC continues looking for revenge against Austin this season and what better place to do so. LAFC needs two more wins to crown themselves MLS Cup Champions. That is the only goal they have now, and they must win at all costs. This matchup is sure to bring out the intensity of LAFC and with it being at home LAFC needs to show why they are in this position.
