LAFC fight back from 2-0 down to draw LA Galaxy and seal playoff spot

Comeback in the derby seals LAFC's playoff place

Los Angeles FC are sure of their place in the MLS playoffs after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with the LA Galaxy in El Trafico at BMO Stadium on Sunday.

LAFC went into the match knowing a point would be enough to book their postseason spot. Yet Xavier Tamarit's side looked to be heading for defeat when Joseph Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead, and the visitors doubled their lead early in the second half.

Los Angeles FC players celebrating during the LA Galaxy derby

Galaxy strike first, then double their lead

Son Heung-min thought he had put LAFC ahead in the 28th minute, but his close-range finish was disallowed for offside. Against the run of play, the Galaxy struck first as Robert Taylor set up Paintsil to tuck home. Hugo Lloris' mistake then gifted Paintsil a simple second in the 51st minute, putting the visitors on course for a potentially pivotal win.

Bouanga and Walta spark the fightback

Bouanga struck back within two minutes, capitalising on some sloppiness from Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. The comeback was completed nine minutes later, when Son's deflected cross found Walta, who nudged in from close range.

Bouanga thought he had snatched victory at the death, but the hosts had another goal ruled out. Even so, LAFC leave with the point they needed.

Bouanga's dominance over the Galaxy continues

Bouanga has now scored in eight consecutive regular-season matches against the Galaxy, surpassing Raul Ruidiaz's seven-game run between 2019 and 2022 for the longest such streak in MLS history. He had four shots, two of them on target, and was responsible for 1.17 of LAFC's total 2.68 expected goals. Son created a game-leading four chances.

"I want to kill this team, and I don't know. I score so many goals against them and I love it," Bouanga said after the match. "We can do something in the playoffs for sure. Some teams don't want to play against us."

Galaxy under pressure

While LAFC are assured of a playoff place, the Galaxy remain ninth in the Western Conference with two regular-season matches remaining, and their own postseason hopes are still in the balance.