LAFC, Galaxy clash with playoff stakes on the line

Oct 17, 2026; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy forward Joao Klauss (99) talks with midfielder Sergi Roberto (6) during the first half against San Diego FC at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images There will be plenty at stake in the playoff race when one of the biggest MLS rivalries resumes Sunday as the Los Angeles Galaxy visit Los Angeles FC. While the Galaxy (10-11-10, 40 points) can solidify a claim to one of the final few Western Conference playoff spots, LAFC (12-9-10, 46 points) can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a draw. It means the high-stakes "El Trafico" rivalry will have even more intensity. In the first meeting between the teams this season back in July, LAFC earned a 3-0 road victory in the first match back from the World Cup break. The rivals are now 10-10-7 against each other all time. LAFC's 1-4-4 stretch spanning August and September led to the dismissal of head coach Marc Dos Santos. In three matches under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit, the club has gone 1-0-2, including a 1-1 road draw against New York City FC last Saturday. "These games are not about tactics," LAFC defender Sergi Palencia said about the rivalry matchup with the Galaxy. "It's about who wants it more, the 50-50 balls and who's going to get those. How you're going to react when you are hit. ... We know it's a big game. We can clinch the playoffs." While Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with 17 goals, Son Heung-Min has 22 goal contributions (seven goals, 15 assists). The Galaxy are 3-1-2 since Sept. 12 as they make a late playoff push. The six-time league champions won the MLS Cup in 2024 but missed the playoffs last season. In a 2-2 draw at home against San Diego FC last Saturday, Joao Klauss scored in the fourth minute to open the scoring. Klauss leads the club with nine goals and has scored in four of the past five matches. "I would love to be able to say we're really safely in (the playoffs), but I actually want our mentality to be that we are fighting for every moment because I think you're better off going into the playoffs with that mentality," Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. " ... We gotta make sure that we're taking points from these games." Marco Reus leads the Galaxy with 20 goal contributions (eight goals and 12 assists). The Galaxy have received a lift of late from former FC Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto, who arrived on a free transfer this summer. He has played in eight matches and has started the last five, collecting an assist against San Diego FC. --Field Level Media