Instant Reaction: LA Galaxy lose 3-2 against LAFC in Western Conference semifinals

LOS ANGELES — The energy at Banc of California Stadium was off the charts as the final whistle blew with LAFC winning the Western Conference semifinal match 3-2 against cross-town rivals LAFC. A stoppage-time winner from Cristian Arango broke the hearts of the LA Galaxy players and fans and brought the Banc into a frenzy. 

LAFC took the lead in the first half with a goal from Denis Bouanga to score his second goal for the Black and Gold, and LA responded back. It happened again in the second half with Bouanga's second of the game and response by Dejan Joveljić. However, it was Arango's stoppage time goal that stole the show. Vanney's side put in a good effort but it wouldn't be enough to avenge what happened in 2019.

"Really proud of our guys. It's been a hell of a stretch of games the guys have put together over the last 12-13 games, battled till the very end. And the game came down to a couple of plays here or there. So the most important thing now is I'm proud of this group," stated Vanney postgame. The Galaxy have still never won three games in a row during Greg Vanney's time as manager.

Going Down First

With a game of this magnitude, the nerves and intensity will get to you. That was evident in the first couple of minutes when a poor pass by Jonathan Bond led to Riqui Puig having to foul Carlos Vela in the final third.

In the 12th minute, Riqui Puig got into an altercation with LAFC’s Jesus Murillo which led to a yellow card for the Spanish midfielder. LAFC was getting to the Galaxy and trying to set the tone. The Galaxy wouldn’t be rattled as they started to lock into their possession soccer and get their wide players going.

Denis Bouanga would score against the run of play to fire the home side in front. LAFC took advantage of their one moment of the first half to put the Galaxy in a difficult situation.

"I said to the guys on the bench we needed to punish them when they are in the early stages when they didn't have a chance. They got a goal kind of against the run of things. The first time we got a little bit passive defensively they were able to get a goal," noted Vanney postgame. 

As LA began to possess the ball more and get into LAFC’s half, their breakthrough came through Samuel Grandsir who took advantage of a poor clearance and his volley got past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

LA had accumulated just two come-from-behind victories all year and heading into the second half tied. 

Physical Derby

In the second half, LAFC was creating better chances while the Galaxy tried to calm things down on the pitch. Referee Allen Chapman let the physical nature of a playoff rivalry match go with a mix of class that players on the field were not happy about. 

There were some sandwich tackles and trips that kept putting players on the floor. Raheem Edwards, Riqui Puig, Jesus Murillo, Diego Palacios, and Carlos Vela picked up yellow cards during the game. 

It was a dynamic both teams had to deal with and one that affected the play of Edwards and Puig during the game. 

Speaking of Edwards, he did a good job limiting Carlos Vela. His other fullback partner, Julian Araujo, also held up against Denis Bouanga at times when matched up. Greg Vanney was proud of what they did on the night and also their contributions to the attack.

"They had a big ask because both of those wingers are very good players, but we're also trying to get those guys joining into attacks," he said. "And so it was a lot of work for them tonight, but I thought they did a great job" 

Bouanga would get his second goal of the night and put LA back into chasing the game once again. Getting on the end of a low-driven cross to tap the ball into the back of the net at the far post.

"I thought the second half in general was quite scrappy. Kind of was on a knife's edge and could go either way. And then when they got the second goal and you only had seven or eight minutes to find the goal," assessed goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. 

LA was able to hold on long enough and play well against LAFC. There were moments when the Galaxy was the better team and didn't have many struggles trying to get the ball and break down their opponents.

Heartbreak 

As LA changed its shape by bringing in Derrick Williams, Victor Vazquez, and Dejan Joveljić to go to a 4-4-2, Greg Vanney was ready to risk numbers forward and get a tying goal. It would come in the form of the Serbian striker's wonder shot to tie the game in the 85th minute.

It looked like extra time was coming but LAFC got the winner through Cristian Arango. The Galaxy was flat-footed and failed to win the loose ball in the box. 

"That's what makes these games so strange because you kind of throw a Hail Mary sometimes a little bit and your shape or in your positions or the roles the people you bring on to try to chase a goal, said Vanney.  "You get it but then it leaves you a little bit maybe vulnerable on the defensive side," he added. The Galaxy made the right changes and played the right way but it wasn't enough to outscore LAFC.

"It's going to be very difficult to tell you different words than pain, and disappointment," said Chicharito after the game. "I'm sorry, but that's the only feeling that I have, that we have."

Joveljić's strike didn't matter in the end and people will not remember his goal when they talk about this game. The loss marked the end of the Galaxy's playoff run, a second loss to their crosstown rivals in the MLS Cup Playoffs.