Back
An LAFC supporter spit on an LA Galaxy fan sitting in front of him during the famed 'El Tráfico' derby on Sunday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
With the 2026 season coming down to the wire and both teams trailing the likes of Vancouver, Houston, and a rejuvenated Dallas in the West, this derby had major implications. 'El Trafico' was pandemonium on the pitch.
With the score level at 2-2, Galaxy keeper JT Marcinkowski made a handful of saves in the final minute of injury time during a wild series in his box before LAFC star Dennis Buanga slotted home the winner... only for it to be cruelly awarded marginally offside.
The two sides have dominated the MLS since LAFC's inception in 2018 and have faced previous incidents of fan violence and uprisings when meeting — the latest spitting infraction is nothing new.
An LAFC fan appeared to mouth "Stupid b------" to a woman sitting in front of him and not looking in his direction. Then, he spat in her direction, and the viral clip ended just as she turned around. The moment was captured on an Instagram story from the account LAGalaxy818.
Fans in comment sections quickly found the spitter's information and posted it, while others wrote that he should be banned.
"Horrible behavior that doesn’t represent true fans. I hope they find him and kick him out," one wrote. "Ban for life," another said.
"I’m all for LAFC, but this is just despicable. Please find that man and get him arrested because that [man] will continue to think that’s okay," a different LAFC supporter wrote.
LAFC's point clinched yet another playoff spot for the league's 2022 champions. Last year, the side crashed out in the Western Conference semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps on penalties.
“We are very happy, the club, the players, all of us. We fight for that, and I think we have to be happy because it's not easy for anyone,” interim head coach Xavi Tamarit said. He took over for Mark dos Santos in late September.
Buanga scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute to continue another season in which he will likely finish in the top five of MLS MVP voting.
The 31-year-old Gabon international has moved from the wing to striker on a full-time basis this year. He's responded with 18 goals and five assists in 29 league starts
Buanga was delighted to score against his rivals. "I want to kill this team, and I don't know. I score so many goals against them, and I love it,” he told reporters.