flag
back Atrás
LAFC clinches playoff spot after playing rival Galaxy to a draw in a thriller
LAFC’s Aaron Long, right, is challenged by Galaxy forward João Klauss during a 2-2 draw Sunday night at BMO Stadium.

Leo Walta scored the tying goal in the 62nd minute, and LAFC clinched a playoff spot by rallying from two goals down in the second half for a 2-2 draw with the Galaxy on Sunday night.

Joseph Paintsil scored his first two goals since August as the Galaxy hung on impressively for a point, but endangered their own playoff hopes by blowing the lead in another thrilling El Tráfico derby.

The final seconds of injury time were breathtaking: Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and defender Justin Haak both made spectacular stops on LAFC chances before Denis Bouanga scored on a redirection of Tyler Boyd‘s bicycle kick — only for the play to be ruled offside.

Bouanga scored the first goal for LAFC, which is headed to the MLS playoffs for the eighth time in its nine seasons of existence. LAFC is currently sixth in the Western Conference standings, while the Galaxy sit ninth.

The El Tráfico series remains even at 10 wins and 10 losses apiece with eight draws.

LAFC has produced one win and three draws from four matches since interim head coach Xavi Tamarit took over for the fired Marc Dos Santos on Oct. 1.

Son Heung-min thought he had scored on a rebound of Bouanga’s shot midway through the first half, but the play was ruled offside and confirmed by a lengthy video review. Moments later, Robert Taylor intercepted a pass and set up Paintsil to hammer home his first goal in a competitive match since Aug. 19.

Painstil doubled the Galaxy’s lead in the 51st minute when Hugo Lloris spilled a rebound directly to him. LAFC fans threw drinks at the celebrating Galaxy players after both of their goals.

But just two minutes later, LAFC’s Armindo Sieb ripped a shot off a counterattack and Bouanga chipped home the rebound for his 18th goal in 30 MLS matches this season.

LAFC remained on the attack and tied it when Emiro Garces’ defensive misplay allowed Walta to score his second goal in the Finnish international’s four matches with the club.

The Galaxy played without star German midfielder Marco Reus, a late scratch due to illness. Striker Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is also out with a hamstring injury that occurred during international duty with Mexico.

You may like

A tribute to Barcelona-era Ronaldo and his *other* hat-trick v Valencia

planetfootball.com hace 30 minutos

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Champions League – live

The Guardian hace 1 semana

Spanish Media Cast Verdict on Anthony Gordon’s First Barcelona vs Real Madrid Display

givemesport.com hace 9 horas

Maxence Lacroix shares what Chelsea players are going to do after Mike Penders mistake

thechelseachronicle.com hace 2 horas

Preview: Genoa vs Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk hace 17 minutos

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: player ratings breakdown

managingbarca.com hace 11 horas

Isak completes Liverpool’s comeback win as Brentford finish with nine

The Guardian hace 1 semana

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe brace seals huge three points in Clasico thriller

aol.co.uk hace 10 horas

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Highlights, stats, man of the match as Kylian Mbappe makes the difference

sportsmole.co.uk hace 10 horas

Four winners and three losers as Leeds United draw: Wilson proves point, bad day for Bogle

leedsunited.news hace 1 hora