LAFC Rallies From Two Goals Down Against LA Galaxy to Clinch Playoff Berth in El Tráfico
LOS ANGELES — Another dramatic chapter of El Tráfico unfolded Sunday night as LAFC battled back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium, officially clinching a place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The latest meeting between Los Angeles’ two Major League Soccer clubs delivered another intense rivalry matchup, with Joseph Paintsil scoring twice for the Galaxy before Denis Bouanga and Leo Walta completed LAFC’s second-half comeback.
With both teams fighting for valuable points in the Western Conference standings, the match carried significant postseason implications.
LAFC appeared to open the scoring in the 28th minute when Son Heung-min finished a rebound after Bouanga’s initial effort struck the crossbar. However, a lengthy video review determined that Bouanga had been offside in the buildup, ruling out the goal.
The Galaxy quickly capitalized on the momentum shift.
In the 34th minute, Robert Taylor intercepted the ball near midfield and drove down the right wing before delivering a cross into the penalty area. Paintsil arrived at the far post and finished from close range, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
The Galaxy carried their lead into halftime despite continued attacking pressure from LAFC.
Early in the second half, Paintsil struck again.
In the 51st minute, Erik Thommy worked his way into the penalty area and fired a shot that LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was unable to hold. Paintsil reacted first to the rebound and converted his second goal of the evening, doubling the Galaxy’s advantage to 2-0.
But LAFC needed only two minutes to respond.
Armindo Sieb created an opportunity with a powerful shot that forced a save from Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. Bouanga followed the rebound and finished from close range in the 53rd minute, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The goal marked Bouanga’s 18th of the MLS regular season and continued his impressive scoring record against the Galaxy.
LAFC continued pushing forward, increasing the pressure on the visitors’ defense as the atmosphere inside BMO Stadium intensified.
The equalizer arrived in the 62nd minute.
Son delivered a cross from the left side that deflected off a Galaxy defender before another defensive misplay allowed Walta to reach the loose ball inside the penalty area. The Finnish midfielder directed his shot underneath Marcinkowski to bring LAFC level at 2-2.
It was Walta’s second goal in consecutive matches, providing another important contribution during his early appearances for the Black & Gold.
With the score tied, LAFC continued searching for a winner.
The home side dominated the closing stages, outshooting the Galaxy 8-0 over the final 28 minutes and stoppage time. The Galaxy were forced into a series of defensive stops as LAFC repeatedly threatened inside the penalty area.
The most dramatic moment came in the final seconds.
After Tyler Boyd attempted an overhead kick, Bouanga redirected the ball into the net, appearing to complete an extraordinary comeback victory. However, the goal was disallowed after Aaron Long was ruled offside during the buildup.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw, leaving both teams with a point after another memorable edition of the Los Angeles rivalry.
LAFC finished with 21 shots compared with the Galaxy’s 11, while also controlling 56.7 percent of possession.
For the Galaxy, Paintsil’s two-goal performance highlighted an effective attacking display, but the inability to protect a two-goal advantage prevented the visitors from securing a crucial road victory.
For LAFC, the result carried even greater significance.
The draw officially secured the club’s place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, extending its postseason tradition as one of the Western Conference’s most consistent contenders.
Interim head coach Xavi Tamarit also remained unbeaten since taking charge of the club, improving his record to one victory and three draws.
LAFC moved to 12-9-11 with 47 points, remaining sixth in the Western Conference and just one point behind the teams occupying fourth and fifth place.
With two regular-season matches remaining, the Black & Gold still have an opportunity to improve their playoff positioning and potentially secure home-field advantage in the opening round.
The Galaxy, meanwhile, moved to 10-11-11 with 41 points as they continued their own fight for a postseason position.
Beyond the standings, Sunday’s match provided another reminder of the intensity surrounding El Tráfico.
From Paintsil’s first-half breakthrough to LAFC’s second-half comeback and the dramatic disallowed winner in stoppage time, the rivalry once again produced a match filled with momentum swings and late drama.
For LAFC, the comeback was enough to accomplish one of the club’s primary objectives.
The Black & Gold are heading back to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
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