Photo Credit: Carter McGraw/ FantasySportsCave
Los Angeles, CA | July 15 | Kelly Landaverde – @Kel_landaverde
Another edition of the famous first “El Trafico” of this season in MLS is on its way tomorrow… la batalla más grande en Los Ángeles aún no termina; porque “El Trafico” va para largo….
Last season LAFC and LA Galaxy faced each other 3 times, in which Galaxy took 3 points in their first game, and tied the other 2 matches finishing with 5 points against the newest expansion team.
In standings, ovations, fan supporter groups, and numbers these teams have key differences. The Black & Gold are in 1st place with 46 points that won’t be so easy to catch up to if they keep winning more games rather than “losing their cool”. LAFC have won 14 games, lost only 2, and tied 4 matches. Both teams have players with yellow cards – this Friday’s visitors have Colombian Eduard Atuesta with 6, and Walker Zimmerman and Mark Anthony Kaye with 4. A yellow card in this match for those key players would result in a $250 fine and a suspension for next Friday’s match against Atlanta United.
On the other hand, the home team has Diego Polenta with 6 yellows, followed by Zlatan and Joe Corona with 5 apiece. Earlier it was announced that Zlatan will be able to play against LAFC even after receiving a yellow card last Friday. His incident with Sean Johnson does not contribute to his total since he was already suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
LA Galaxy are currently in 3rd place of the western conference with 34 points (11 wins, eight loses, and one draw). Be prepared to watch the two captains in action at the Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy are eager to win at home, after losing against San Jose even with Zlatan in their starting eleven. But LAFC, still sitting pretty at the top of the table with 12 magical points under their belt; are doing a terrific job. They’ve offensively hammered Sporting KC, Vancouver, and Houston Dynamo in their last three matches. With the last being the most special one for them since they only had 48 hours to prepare after losing 0-1 against Portland in the quarterfinals of the Open Cup. They kept their cool, and recuperated from the tough loss.
Both teams have lost against Diego Valeri’s squad in the latest USOC – Galaxy lost in the Round of 16, and LAFC said goodbye in the quarterfinals. Does momentum mean something? Yes, it changes gears in favor, both teams are at a tie when it comes to that. Galaxy has the advantage of playing at home, while LAFC have a positive mindset alongside their 3252 supporters.
This year’s edition of “El Trafico” will be even hotter, because both squads have high caliber “Latino” protagonists to their legacy. When I was a young girl, Galaxy’s Mauricio Cienfuegos became an idol in the LA Salvadorian community that rooted for the only LA team there was. He retired with 35 goals after playing for eight years (1996-2003). In the eyes of many, he is a legend.
Now, sixteen years later, Rodolfo Zelaya is working to make his name shine in a positive and scandal-free way in South Los Angeles. Just like Cienfuegos before him, Zelaya is becoming a goal scorer. Far from home, he is embraced by the Salvadorian diaspora of his beloved heart and home. The smell of “Pupusas” in the Pico-Vermont blue and white restaurants in the corridor, helps him feel closer to home. After scoring more than 112 goals with the Elephants of Alianza in his native country, Fito made his LAFC debut in the Open Cup game against Real Salt Lake on June 11th, almost scoring a “Golazo” with a free kick. He made his MLS debut 17 days later against Colorado when he was subbed in for Joshua Pérez in the second half. Zelaya keeps progressing with more minutes even receiving a goal assist from his Mexican teammate “Carlos Vela” on his birthday against Sporting KC, notching his first goal on a first touch in a long run. His birthday wishes came true and he was rewarded a spot in the starting eleven against the Dynamo last week.
Will he be seeing game time tomorrow? I’m thinking yes, after all Carson has history, and Bob Bradley will want him to demonstrate what he’s capable of doing. He will either be in the starting eleven or come in as a sub.
Saltando al español ya hablamos de Fito en Ingles, que ahorita es la nueva sensación del equipo por la comunidad salvadoreña que lo sigue. Pero los galácticos también tienen otros protagonistas al igual que el LAFC. Jonathan Dos Santos viene de darle la Copa Oro a México con ese único “Golazo” que fue necesario para ganarle a la selección de las barras y las estrellas y llevarse la presea.
También cuentan con la joven promesa Efraín Álvarez de 17 años, Uriel Antuna de 21 años que también demostró que es capaz de jugar con garra y corazón por su selección, y responder en su equipo de igual forma. El Argentino Favio Álvarez que llego al Galaxy en Mayo ya anotó dos goles, y también puede ser la diferencia. Diego Polenta también ya cuenta con un gol con los galácticos. El equipo que esta rodeado, entre Mexicanos, Argentinos, un Uruguayo, y un Venezolano, le puede dar el “Tiki Taka” Latino que le gusta a “Guillermo Barros Schelotto” y a la afición. Mientras que el LAFC suele enfocarse en la defensiva y ofensiva, estando alerta a robar balones, y en aprovechar las contras porque eso es lo que le gusta a “Bob Bradley”.
La diferencia entre ambas escuadras en el A al B, es que el LAFC cuenta con un buen equipo en ambas categorías. Durante algunos de sus jugadores claves estuvieron ausente por estar con sus respectivas selecciones en la “Copa Oro”. Vimos a un “Pablo Sisniega” Mexicano que se gano aplausos por las intervenciones majestosas que tuvo con sus guantes dorados.
Ahora si Tyler Miller quiere volver a ser titular mañana tendrá que demostrar poder ser mejor que el Super “Pablo”. Que durante tomo la batuta en partidos claves no bajo la guardia y estuvo muy atento y a buen ritmo para mantener su portería a -1 gol. Mientras que Miller no vio minutos con la selección, así que eso puede afectar un poco su rendimiento. La escuadra B no hizo notar mucho la ausencia de los protagonistas. Mientras que con los locales si se noto la ausencia. Si te interesa la Major League Soccer, no te pierdas el partido este viernes.
