The Rose Bowl game will be the wildest El Trafico yet

El Trafico just keeps getting bigger.

On Tuesday morning, LA Galaxy announced the club will host the MLS 2023 season-opening match versus Los Angeles Football Club in Pasadena at the historic Rose Bowl, previously the home of the Galaxy for six seasons and a venue for friendlies against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

With LA Galaxy and LAFC expected to play each other three times next year, it makes sense for one of the matches to be played at a large, neutral venue. The Galaxy penned an agreement in 2018 approved by the Pasadena city council to pay a fee in the region of $300,000 to host matches, so a move was always in the cards.

“This rivalry has, from day one, delivered an energy and electricity that together with incredible moments and memories on the pitch, has established it among the most engaging not only in Los Angeles but across MLS,” LAFC Co-President & CBO Larry Freedman said in a statement. “It is only fitting that we are now taking it to one of the most iconic venues in all of sports.

Here are some of the reasons next year’s supersized El Trafico will be the wildest yet.

The Rose Bowl can absolutely break the league attendance record

Two of the league’s marquee teams inside the same building to kick off the season?

The FOMO for this game will be real, especially in the weeks leading up to the match. If the clubs can create a buzz, the current record of 74,479 set by Charlotte FC in March is very much in play. To celebrate the occasion, the Galaxy took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times sports section complete with a scannable QR code.

Expect the hardcore fans and the supporters to show up, but this El Trafico can attract casual fans as well. However, if the tickets are priced like Angelinos are going to see Bad Bunny, it’ll be tougher to break the record.

Who runs L.A.?

The next El Trafico features the league’s most entertaining attack in LAFC battling a Galaxy side that is starting to put together some entertaining performances of its own.

In a sense, the Black and Gold have already gotten the job done for next season. Carlos Vela, Denis Bouanga and Cristian Tello occupy all three Designated Player spots, Giorgio Chiellini is locked up and Gareth Bale is signed through June. A few key figures including Ryan Hollingshead and Latif Blessing are out of contract, and there’s been plenty of talk regarding Jose Cifuentes moving on, but the core of the squad is set.

This team will score a boatload of goals next year and have fun doing it. Crucially, the vast majority of the squad should be available next year, so integrating new players into the lineup won’t be an issue.

Right now all the speculation is in Carson. Just today, Chicharito confirmed what he posted on social media a few days ago: Mexico’s all-time goal scorer is returning to Galaxy in 2023 as a Designated Player after passing performance thresholds of scoring 11 goals and participating in 60% of matches this season. Of course, one reason for Javi’s recent success has been the game-changing play of Riqui Puig, who’s rejuvenated a team and a jaded fanbase.

Will the club take steps this offseason to potentially unload DP wingers Douglas Costa or Kevin Cabral, giving manager Greg Vanney a more competitive squad to work with? A fanbase eagerly awaits, and the clock is ticking.

The Rose Bowl is a pilgrimage

Sofi Stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park, Banc of California Stadium. All are modern, comfortable 21st-century venues. 

The Rose Bowl is historic. It is not a comfy venue. The 101-year old stadium is notoriously difficult to get in and out of, seating is cramped and the concessions can’t match the newer offerings. Getting there and watching the match is admittedly a bit of a pilgrimage.

But Woodstock was also a pilgrimage, and like Woodstock, this is a one-time experience worth a few minor inconveniences along the way. The lack of modern features can even be considered a plus. Sofi Stadium is a breathtaking stadium, so much so in fact that it's easy to get distracted by everything the potential 2026 World Cup final venue has to offer. At the Rose Bowl, all the attention will be on the field and in the stands where it should be.

And of course, covering it all is Apple in the inaugural game of their new streaming deal with the league.

It's going to be a good one.