El Tráfico returns! LAFC, LA Galaxy chase playoff push

The battle for Los Angeles bragging rights returns during Matchday 32's Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire, as LAFC host arch-rivals LA Galaxy in a pivotal El Tráfico rivalry game.

How to watch & stream

• Apple TV

When

• Sunday, Oct. 25 | 9 pm ET/6 pm PT

Where

• BMO Stadium | Los Angeles, California

Standings

• 6th in Western Conference
• 46 points (12W-9L-10D)

Last game

LAFC stayed unbeaten in their third match under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit, settling for a 1-1 draw at New York City FC.

Leo Walta opened his MLS account with a long-range free kick, then Andrés Perea equalized for the hosts just before the hour mark.

Players to watch

• Son Heung-Min: The South Korean superstar has seven goals and 15 assists; the latter stat matches Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for the league lead.
• Denis Bouanga: The three-time MLS Best XI forward has 17g/9a, leaving him three goals shy of a record fourth straight campaign with at least 20 goals.
• Leo Walta: Can the Finland international provide a creative spark? Early returns are encouraging from the on-loan Swansea City midfielder.
• Hugo Lloris: The 2018 FIFA World Cup champion has 12 clean sheets this year, good for second-most in MLS.

Need to know

LAFC can complete the season sweep of the Galaxy, having returned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup break with a 3-0 road victory in mid-July.

Even more, the Black & Gold can secure an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot this weekend. They're also chasing a top-four spot in the Western Conference and the home-field advantage it provides (at least in Round One).

This will be LAFC's fourth match since parting ways with head coach Marc Dos Santos, and time is ticking to find momentum.

Standings

• 8th in Western Conference
• 40 points (10W-11L-10D)

Last game

The Galaxy capped a two-game home stretch with a 2-2 draw against San Diego FC.

João Klauss and Erik Thommy scored early in the frenetic match vs. their SoCal rival, helping LA stay in the Wild Card places.

Players to watch

• Marco Reus: The German veteran and Borussia Dortmund icon has a team-best 20 goal contributions (8g/12a) this season. 
• Sergi Roberto: The longtime FC Barcelona midfielder has found his rhythm since arriving this summer on a free transfer.
• Joseph Paintsil: Back from injury, the Ghana international hopes to build on his 5g/5a season when LA need him most.
• João Klauss: After missing several months due to injury, Klauss has a team-best nine goals and tallied in four of LA's past five matches.

Need to know

The record six-time MLS Cup champions have three games left to secure their playoff spot, so there's little time for error.

They're slated for the West's Wild Card match; the winner faces the No. 1 seed (currently Vancouver Whitecaps FC) in a Round One Best-of-3 Series.

Will head coach Greg Vanney's side keep pace under the Sunday Night Soccer spotlight?

LAFC have nearly two-thirds (63%) of the market, compared to 19% for the Galaxy. Then again, form and pre-game expectations often go out the window in El Tráfico.

Market insights shared are current as of Thursday, Oct. 22 at 12 pm ET.