News

May 29, 2025 (Match Outcome)

San Jose's Path to the Trophy Brightens

LA Galaxy lost the match 1-0 to San Jose. Due to this loss, Galaxy is now no longer able to have a path to the trophy this year. Due to its four games remaining, San Jose has overtaken LAFC as the likely 2nd place team. However, SDFC watches cautiously, as if San Jose can win against Galaxy again on June 28, they will be within 3 points of San Diego.

Next match - San Jose play Galaxy on June 28.

May 25, 2025 (Match Outcome)

The Path Narrows for LAFC and San Jose

Please read this excellent match recap by SDFC Nation recently published at this link.

LA Galaxy lost the match 2-1 to San Diego FC. The momentum continues to build for San Diego, and Galaxy's potential path to the trophy has almost disappeared.

Galaxy face San Jose on Wed May 28 in a must win game.

May 23, 2025 (Match Preview)

All Eyes on San Diego: LA Galaxy Arrives with A Point to Prove
"Say Goodbye to Hollywood," or Say Hello to Marco Reus?

Please read this excellent match preview by SDFC Nation recently published at this link.

Still smarting from their home opener defeat, Galaxy have yet to recover. Tomorrow's match is arguably the most important one of the season, potentially second only to the remaining leg of El Tráfico on July 19. This match is not just a rivlary match between Galaxy and SDFC. This is a chance for Galaxy to reawaken their season and put an end to their winless streak. SDFC will be coming out reinvigorated and eager to build momentum, but with Galaxy's back against the wall, anything is possible. Marco Reus may be the most talented player on the field in terms of raw ability and accomplishments on the global soccer stage, if not current market value. His performance remains a huge variable. A magician, not unlike Kevin de Bruyne, who was rumored to be linked with SDFC not long ago, Marco Reus has the potential to deliver critical playmaking passes from the top of the box. Additionally, his long range strikes are formidable, as he showed last week with the game saving free-kick (watch here) against LAFC. If Reus can manage a miracle assist to another teammate in the box, perhaps with a brilliant pass, and then combine that with another moment of "individual excellence" to score a goal himself, then these three points may be on the table for Galaxy.

That being said, we expect Fagundez to struggle against San Diego' fast full backs. SDFC's high press has only improved since the initial game against Galaxy. We expect a similar outcome to the first game on Feb 23. A goal off of a defensive error, forced by the press of SDFC, who will play in their customer Right to Dream style, seems likely. Followed by one or two more. As of this time, SDFC is favored to win, although the gap has narrowed in the past 24 hours. However, Hollywood's pride is on the line, and anything can happen. If SDFC manage to maintain their momentum and win this match, then they will be only two games away from clinching the trophy, well before the final September 27 decision day. LAFC will be watching this match intently, as a draw or victory by LA Galaxy will keep its hopes alive as a contender for the El Camino Real Trophy.

May 18, 2025 (Match Outcome)

DISCLAIMER: The below text for this post has been generated by or with substantial assistance from AI tools.

Deadlock in Carson: Reus Rescues Galaxy, El Camino Trophy Race Stays Tight

When the final whistle blew and the fans slowly filtered out into the California night, nothing felt settled. El Tráfico, the long-standing clash between LAFC and LA Galaxy, once again delivered chaos and drama—this time in the form of a 2–2 draw that kept the El Camino Real Trophy race wide open.

San Diego FC remains top of the table with six points. LAFC came into this one needing a win to draw even. Instead, they walked away with a single point and a lingering sense of frustration. LA Galaxy left with something to build on, thanks to a pair of goals from Marco Reus, including a late equalizer that may have salvaged their tournament hopes.

Early Fire, Late Twist

The match opened at full tilt. In the 6th minute, Reus found space just outside the area and curled home the opener, giving Galaxy the early lead. Seven minutes later, Denis Bouanga responded for LAFC. He lashed a low strike past the keeper after a clever setup from Mark Delgado, who quietly ran the midfield all night.

After the equalizer, LAFC took control. They dominated possession with 53%, completed 90% of their passes, and outshot the Galaxy 13 to 10. Nathan Ordaz capitalized on a rebound in the 50th minute to give LAFC the lead. With Bouanga pressing high, Delgado dictating tempo, and Ryan Hollingshead flying down the flanks, LAFC looked poised to close it out.

But this rivalry rarely sticks to the script.

Reus Delivers Again

In the 87th minute, Galaxy earned a free kick just outside the box. Reus stepped up and curled it into the top corner, beating Hugo Lloris and freezing the LAFC wall. The crowd erupted. It was a moment of individual quality, and it earned the Galaxy a point when it looked like the game had slipped away.

What the Numbers Say

By most measures, LAFC should have won. They finished with the higher expected goals (1.32 to 1.16), created more chances, and had more touches in the final third. But they conceded from two moments of brilliance. They failed to capitalize when they were on top.

Galaxy, meanwhile, did just enough. They were disciplined defensively and made their few opportunities count. Their long MLS winless streak continues, but this result gives them something to hold onto in El Camino play.

Where Things Stand

LAFC remains in the hunt. They have three matches left, including a rematch against San Diego on September 1. Galaxy will now need to win out to stay alive. San Diego, having already done their work early, sits in the best position heading into the second half of the tournament. San Jose still has five games to play and could shake things up.

Looking Ahead

This wasn't a knockout blow. It wasn’t a statement win. But it mattered. LAFC will regret not finishing the job. Galaxy will be relieved they’re still breathing. And San Diego, watching from afar, will feel like the night played in their favor. With eight matches left in the tournament, every fixture from here on carries real weight. The margin for error is shrinking. The El Camino Real Trophy is still anyone’s to win.

END DISCLAIMER: Text below this point is human generated.

May 17, 2025 (Match Preview)

El Tráfico First Leg - LA Galaxy at Home vs. LAFC

DISCLAIMER: The below text for this post has been generated by or with substantial assistance from AI tools.

El Camino Real Heats Up: A City Divided Awaits El Tráfico’s Reckoning

On the western edge of the country, where rivalry runs deep and regional pride often outweighs form, El Tráfico returns. The 2025 El Camino Real Trophy is still in its early stages, but this weekend’s showdown at Dignity Health Sports Park already carries weight. When LA Galaxy hosts LAFC, it won’t just be about bragging rights. There’s table position, tournament momentum, and reputations on the line.

Through three matches, the competition has taken shape quickly. San Diego FC leads the pack with six points after back-to-back wins over both LA teams. LAFC bounced back with a 2–1 win against San Jose, powered by Denis Bouanga and Sergi Palencia. That victory gave them a foothold. With another win, they would match SDFC’s point total and keep the trophy within reach.

For LA Galaxy, the situation is more urgent. Two matches played, two defeats, and a 13-match winless run across all competitions have left them reeling. A loss here wouldn’t mathematically eliminate them, but it would all but erase the competitive meaning from the remainder of their campaign.

Tactical Notes

LAFC comes into this match with more depth and rhythm. Hugo Lloris anchors the back line. Maxime Chanot and Aaron Long bring experience to central defense. In midfield, Timothy Tillman, Mark Delgado, and Igor Jesus have started to find some consistency. Up top, Bouanga and Olivier Giroud lead the line with real intent, while Cengiz Ünder adds unpredictability in wide areas. Steve Cherundolo’s system emphasizes direct movement, early vertical passes, and sharp execution in transition.

LA Galaxy, on the other hand, will be without three key attackers. Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil, and Gabriel Pec are all ruled out with injuries. That puts even more pressure on Marco Reus, who will operate in the No. 10 role. Diego Fagúndez and Cristian Ramírez will likely support from wide areas, while Edwin Cerrillo and Matías Sanabria anchor the midfield. Greg Vanney has leaned on a cautious 4-2-3-1 shape. It's built to contain and counter, but without Paintsil’s pace or Puig’s control, transitions have been slower and less threatening.

For LAFC, the opportunity is clear. They need to press early, exploit mismatches out wide, and force Galaxy’s fullbacks into isolated duels. For Galaxy, the path is more narrow. They’ll need to slow the tempo, win second balls, and lean on Reus to find one or two moments that change the game. A set piece or a deflection might be their best route to a result.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a derby. It’s a checkpoint in the tournament and a moment that could shape how both clubs approach the rest of the season. The El Camino Real Trophy may be new, but its format forces urgency. There are no throwaway games. Six matches per team. Every result swings the table.

If LAFC wins, they move to six points and wipe away the sting of their loss to San Diego. They’ll be in the title race, with momentum and depth heading into the second half of the competition. If Galaxy wins, it flips the entire narrative. A result here keeps their season alive and shows that El Tráfico is never about form. If they lose, they fall to 0–3. They’ll have lost to all three California rivals. The math may leave a sliver of hope, but the emotional weight of that kind of start is hard to overcome.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Last September, the Galaxy pulled off a wild 4–2 comeback win over LAFC in one of the most chaotic El Tráfico matches in recent memory. It had everything: goals, cards, controversy, and a late-game collapse. This rivalry always delivers, regardless of standings. Sunday should be no different. The crowd will be electric. The stakes are real. And while the trophy won’t be lifted yet, the path to it will get much clearer by the final whistle.

Prediction & Odds

Considering the current form, player availability, and historical performances in El Tráfico matches, the prediction leans towards a high-scoring encounter.
Predicted Score: LAFC 2 - 1 LA Galaxy
This prediction aligns with the betting odds and reflects LAFC's slight advantage in form and squad depth.
LA Galaxy DNB: Odds range from +100 to +125 across various sportsbooks.
LAFC DNB: Odds range from -138 to -150, indicating LAFC as the slight favorite in this market.

END DISCLAIMER: Text below this point is human generated.

April 12, 2025 (Match Outcome)

Road Reopened: LAFC Rekindle Their Path to the Trophy

DISCLAIMER: The below text for this post (April 12, Match Outcome) has been generated by or with substantial assistance from AI tools.

On April 12, LAFC earned a much-needed 2–1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium, keeping themselves in the running for the 2025 El Camino Real Trophy. It was their first win of the tournament and a critical response after falling to San Diego FC in the opener.

There was a real sense of urgency coming into this one. LAFC had played four matches in just two weeks and were dealing with the wear and tear that comes with that kind of schedule. But instead of rotating the lineup, the coaching staff stuck with their experienced core. Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, and Denis Bouanga all started. Their leadership helped steady the side.

The match remained tight through the first hour, with both teams trading half-chances and looking for space in a crowded midfield. Things finally broke open in the 65th minute when Sergi Palencia stepped into a loose ball outside the box and rifled it past the goalkeeper to put LAFC ahead. The moment seemed to energize the home side. A second goal followed late in the half. Bouanga pounced on a mistake by San Jose’s backup keeper, who had entered the game after Daniel de Sousa Britto was forced off in the first half due to a head injury. Cristian Espinoza pulled one back for San Jose in stoppage time, but LAFC had already done enough.

Despite the loss, San Jose actually outshot LAFC 18 to 10 and held a near-even share of possession. But they lacked sharpness in the final third, managing just four shots on target. Their game plan, to stretch a tired LAFC side with movement and width, was sound in theory. However, they didn’t execute in front of goal. LAFC, on the other hand, stayed compact, picked their moments, and finished the chances that mattered.

This result brings LAFC to three points in the standings and gives them the head-to-head edge over a direct trophy rival. San Jose, playing their first match of the tournament, now has work to do to stay in contention. With LA Galaxy still looking for their first win and San Diego FC sitting on six points, the table is already starting to take shape.

What made the difference here wasn’t anything flashy. It was experience, poise, and a willingness to stick to a game plan even when legs were heavy. LAFC trusted their big names and got the performance they needed. San Jose had the energy, but not the execution.

Looking ahead, LAFC will travel to face LA Galaxy on May 18.

END DISCLAIMER: Text below this point is human generated.

April 12, 2025 2:30pm PT (Pre-Match)

A Long Road Ahead: The Competition for the El Camino Real Trophy Coalesces

DISCLAIMER: The below text for this post (April 12, 2:30pm PT Pre-Match) has been generated by or with substantial assistance from AI tools.

The 2025 El Camino Real Trophy resumes tonight with LAFC hosting the San Jose Earthquakes in Match #3 of the competition. With each of the four California clubs playing only six matches, every result carries significant weight. San Diego FC currently leads the standings with 6 points from their opening two games, having earned early wins against both LA Galaxy and LAFC. That strong start puts pressure on the remaining teams to respond, and tonight’s fixture is an opportunity for both LAFC and San Jose to gain ground.

LAFC enters the match already behind the pace, having lost their opener to SDFC, and another defeat would leave them chasing with just 3 games left to close the gap.

San Jose begins their campaign with this opening fixture. The Earthquakes have the advantage of a full six-match schedule ahead, giving them more potential points to chase. LAFC, on the other hand, will look to make the most of their home fixtures and bounce back from a closely contested opening loss against SDFC. While LAFC’s schedule has been demanding in recent weeks – tonight’s match is their fifth game in fifteen days - the squad has shown resilience in managing match congestion.

This match offers more than just three points—it’s an early chance to shape the evolving title race. The outcome will influence not only the standings but also the momentum each team carries into the heart of the competition. In a tightly packed tournament with no room for complacency, tonight’s performance could quietly become a defining moment in the race for California’s crown.

END DISCLAIMER: Text below this point is human generated.

March 29, 2025

SDFC's Run of Form Continues: LAFC falls in a ferocious battle

While not technically an upset, as the home team is often expected to always win in MLS, the manner in which San Diego FC seized its second victory of the El Camino Real Trophy surprised many. Jumping to three goals in the first half, San Diego seemed to have the visitors on the backfoot. Then seemingly moments after the third goal, LAFC answered back with one of the goals of the season. A perfectly struck ball from a significant distance outside the box was placed perfectly, glancing off the underside of the cross bar and destroying SDFC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos' clean sheet. The goal was so perfect, no one could have saved it, not opposing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, nor global legends like Mike Maignan or Gregor Kobel. Minutes later, as the added time expired, LAFC connected on a cross in the box, bringing the game to within one goal. The equalizer remained in reach for the second half as LAFC, playing a man down for much of it. LAFC's attempt to contain Tverskov's midfield movements led to a second yellow on LAFC's Igor Jesus. Despite playing with only 10 men, LA maintained a press and nearly equalized, while SD failed to add to their lead. SD Fans rejoice about not only adding points along the road to the El Camino Real Trophy but also initial goals from Alex Mighten and Chris McVey.

All eyes remain on LAFC, as they continue their California supporters trophy campaign by playing at home against San Jose on April 12. San Diego's next El Camino Real Trophy match is at home on May 24 against LA Galaxy.

March 25, 2025

San Jose Joins the El Camino Real Trophy: Faultline's Supporters Group

Faultlines, independent supporters group of San Jose Faultline, has agreed to join the board of the El Camino Real Trophy, a California non-profit organization, as the representative for San Jose. The El Camino Real Trophy and many fans from San Diego are grateful to San Jose and the Faultlines group especially for their visionary leadership, and continuous support and encouragement throughout this process. From the beginning of the conceptualization of the California MLS Supporters' Trophy, when it was only an idea and before a specific name, the Faultlines team indicated their support for the idea. The Faultlines leadership team provide critical information and guidance, gained from their direct experience creating and managing the Heritage Cup.

Moving forward, all material decisions, including the design and creation of the trophy silverware itself, shall be done in concert and with the mutual approval San Jose representative. As of this time, half of the seats of the El Camino Trophy board have been filled, with participation from both San Diego and San Jose. The remaining two board seats, reserved for LAFC and LA Galaxy, will remain vacant until a representative from those teams has been designated.

We cordially invite LAFC and LA Galaxy to join the El Camino Real Trophy. Please email to info@elcaminorealtrophy.org or reach out through Riptides SG to advance this process.

February 21, 2025

Growing Excitement: SDFC vs. LA Galaxy Preview

Excitement grows over the inaugural match of the El Camino Real, which will take place on Feb 23, 2025. While the Galaxy are favored, San Diego is riding high off a recent dominant performance at the Coachella Valley Invitational.

Led by Anders Dreyer and Chucky Lozano, veteran DP's with a wealth of major league playing experience in Europe, a flood of goals ensued. Captain Jeppe Tverskov lobbed a long ball in transition to USMNT national Luca de La Torre, who deftly controlled the ball, outpaced the defenders and beat the keeper at point blank range. His experience in Eredivisie for Heracles and La Liga for Celta Vigo showed through brightly. Lozano made a nice goal, Dryer claimed a brace, Marcus Ingvartsen tallied his first goal and Boateng notched a thunderous penalty passed the keeper's outstretched arms. Confidence is high on both sides of the pitch, as both teams have something to prove on the opening day of the season. A rash of injuries leaves Galaxy without some of its major players, making the initial contest more interesting.

In partnership with Riptides, Independent Supporters Group of SDFC, the El Camino Real Trophy has been organized as a non-profit California Corporation. SDFC and fans are excited to compete against Galaxy. The winner will advance in the standings towards claiming the El Camino Real Trophy in 2025.

February 23, 2025

An Incredible Start: SDFC defeats defending MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy

In an astounding upset, SDFC overcame the 2024 MLS Cup Winners, LA Galaxy, with an exciting 2-0 win. Headline star Chucky Lozano earned his first goal contribution, assisting Anders Dryer's first goal in the 52nd minute. Dryer stole the show with a last minute goal in extra time (assisted by Tomas Angél), to make this a true statement win and etch San Diego's name in the history books from the first game. In a packed stadium, thousands of fans from both teams cheered on their sides. The San Diego supporters showed up nearly 500 strong and carried the excitement and energy of the match through its entirety. The Galaxy fans, eager to celebrate their status of defending champions, found themselves questioning the start of the new season. Notably, Galaxy was missing big name stars Joseph Paintsil and Riqui Puig among other players. However, German international Marco Reus played 72 minutes and Gabriel Pec logged a full 90. The presence of these top players further elevates the achievement of the SDFC squad in their inaugural match.

Maya Yoshida captained the match for Galaxy and Jeppe Tverskov for San Diego.

The quest for the El Camino Real Trophy continues, with San Diego facing LAFC next on March 29th (in SD). Galaxy will face LAFC on May 18 in the first leg of the El Trafíco derby.