Matchday 22 action provided MLS NEXT Pro fans the second installment of "El Trafichico", where LAFC2 emerged victorious with a resounding 6-0 win over LA Galaxy II at Titan Stadium.
LAFC2 got back at their rivals, avenging a previous loss, and earned the Team of Matchday 22 title for their strong offensive performance.
From the opening whistle, LAFC2 went on the attack, scoring in the 7th minute through a set-piece play.
Nathan Ordaz delivered a well placed cross that found the head of Leonardo Flores, who knocked in the ball into the top corner.
LAFC2 continued their attack with Jeremy Batioja scoring in the 14th minute with a solo effort after dribbling down the right flank before striking the ball into the near post.
After providing an assist earlier in the game, Nathan Ordaz scored his second goal of the season in the 16th minute. The 19-year-old let off a powerful strike from outside the box that found the bottom left corner of the LA Galaxy II goal, making the score 3-0.
LAFC2 right back Julian Gaines proved to be a key playmaker for LAFC2 during the match, setting up the next two goals for his side.
Gaines earned his first assist in the 25th minute after getting by his defender and connecting with Leonardo Flores in the box, who netted his second goal of the day for LAFC2.
In the 52nd minute, Gaines connected with Erik Dueñas, who shook off two Galaxy II defenders in the box and launched a well placed shot for LAFC2’s fifth goal of the day.
Christian Torres added his name to the score in the 70th minute, cutting inside from the left wing and placing a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, sealing the 6-0 win for LAFC2.
This victory evened the “El Trafichico” series for LAFC2 and lived up to its reputation as a high-stakes match full of intense drama.
LAFC2 Head Coach Enrique Duran spoke on his team’s performance after the game:
“From the beginning they (LAFC2) knew that they needed to be a team. They knew they would be having chances, and today, I think that was the big difference compared to some of the other games that we played in the last weeks. We were very effective in the final third.”
The two sides will meet once more before season's end on September 9th at Dignity Health Sports Park, in what will surely be another thilling matchup.
But before that game takes place, LAFC2 will focus on their Matchday 23 opponent, Colorado Rapids 2, a team they narrowly lost to back on June 11th.
You can catch all the MLS NEXT Pro action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
