MLS powerhouse LAFC hopes to avoid Dodger Blues in playoffs
LAFC, which finished the regular season as the best team in MLS, will host its crosstown rival, the L.A. Galaxy, in the western conference semifinals round.
Watch CBS News
LAFC, which finished the regular season as the best team in MLS, will host its crosstown rival, the L.A. Galaxy, in the western conference semifinals round.
The Galaxy, making their first postseason appearance since 2019, advanced to play rival and top-seeded Los Angeles FC on Thursday night in the Western Conference semifinals.
The fourth-seeded Galaxy will host No. 5 Nashville in the opening round of the playoffs. Both teams finished with 50 points in the regular season.
The Black and Gold clinched their second Supporters Shield trophy, which gives them a first-round bye with the best record in the league.
The Black and Gold (15-4-3) earned its fourth straight victory thanks to goals by Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela.
In his first shot on goal, the former Real Madrid forward netted his first career MLS goal with the Black and Gold.
José Cifuentes broke a 1-1 tie when he scored in the 46th minute for LA (13-4-3), helping the Black and Gold retain the top spot in the Western Conference.
José Cifuentes put LAFC back ahead in the 70th minute with another header off an excellent cross from Carlos Vela.
The additions of Chiellini and Bale, along with re-signing 2019 MLS MVP Carlos Vela, should keep LAFC among the league's top clubs the rest of the season.
The Black and Gold capitalized off a pair of second half goals to come away with a victory.
MLS-leading LAFC improved to 10-3-3 with its fourth shutout of the season. New York (7-5-5) started 5-2-1 on the road, but has dropped three straight away from home — without scoring.
The 32-year-old Bale is moving stateside after spending most of the past nine years with Madrid. His contract expires this summer, making him a free agent after his up-and-down tenure with the current Champions League winners finally ends.
Joveljic's game-tying goal came on a header in the 88th minute. Julian Araujo got an assist, his well-timed pass from the right corner reaching Joveljic as he arrived at the goal box.
Arango's game-tying goal came in the 79th minute for Western Conference-leading LAFC (9-3-3). On the run, he pushed a header to the upper left corner of the net past the reach of Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Rodriguez's game-winner came in the 47th minute for LAFC (9-3-2) and was the only goal scored in the second half.
Colorado dominated LAFC on Saturday, returning the favor after the Black and Gold cruised past the Rapids in the regular season opener.
The victory vaults the Galaxy (7-3-1) over Austin (6-3-2) and into second place in the Western Conference, one point behind front-running LAFC.
Dejan Joveljic appeared to score the equalizer in second-half stoppage time for the Galaxy (5-3-1), but an LA foul disallowed the goal after a video review.
Musovski's game-winner came in the 79th minute to put LAFC (6-1-1) up 2-1. Carlos Vela assisted the goal.
Cristian Arango scored for LAFC (4-1-1), which had won three straight games by two-goal margins. It was an especially frustrating outing for forward Carlos Vela, who could not match Chicharito in the first meeting of the former Mexican internationals in Major League Soccer.
LAFC also got one goal each from Kwadwo Opoku, Jesus Murillo and Brian Rodriguez.
Ryan Hollingshead scored a goal in each half to lead Los Angeles FC to a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS action on Sunday night.
Facundo Torres scored his first career MLS goal on a header in the 10th minute.
