The first edition of the latest local rivalry in MLS is this weekend, and hype is building for LA Galaxy-LAFC, aka "El Trafico" (Saturday, 3 pm ET | FOX).
LAFC have started hot, with two wins in two games, but have been out of action for two matchweeks. The Galaxy are coming off a gritty road draw, posting their first shutout of the season, but they are looking to return to the win column following a 1-1-1 start to the season.
With that in mind, we asked Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle, Senior Editor Nicholas Rosano, Senior Host & Producer Andrew Wiebe, and Contributors Paul Tenorio, Alicia Rodriguez, Sam Stejskal and Bobby Warshaw this question:
Who will win the first Galaxy-LAFC game, and why?
STEJSKAL: LAFC 2-1. Zlatan is no Latif Blessing.
WARSHAW: I saw LAFC GM John Thorrington in the hotel lobby in Frisco and I don’t feel like getting grief from him so I’ma go with LAFC.
TENORIO: LA Galaxy 2-1. LAFC have had two long weeks off from competition and are on the road against a Galaxy team that will be boosted by their newest addition. Zlatan is going to have an impact right away and get the winner for the Galaxy to hold off their newest rivals.
DOYLE: LAFC 3-1. They've been a steamroller.
WIEBE: Galaxy 3-2. Because my guy Fred Zilla needs more #content to work with.
RODRIGUEZ: LAFC 2-1. Going to toot my own horn a bit and say the last time we were asked about these teams, I said I believed in Bob the Builder. That belief has only grown since the start of the season.
ROSANO: Galaxy 2-1. Ibrahimovic winner off the bench. The mythos of Zlatan demands it.
