Carlos Vela scores twice as LAFC win first El Trafico and advance to Western Conference Final

Carlos Vela scored twice as LAFC beat rivals LA Galaxy 5-3 at Banc of California Stadium for their first ever El Trafico win. LAFC have now managed to advance to the Western Conference Final where they will face the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday for a spot in the 2019 MLS Cup Final.

Despite a fast start from the visitors, it took just 16 minutes for Carlos Vela to open the scoring when the Mexican forward found space down the left-flank and placed a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

LAFC eventually doubled their lead in the 39th minute when a blown offside call led to Brian Rodriguez finding Vela alone inside the box to score the 2-0.

But the Galaxy weren’t going to make things easy for LAFC when moments later good work from Zlatan Ibrahimovic put Cristian Pavon alone on goal to get the five-time MLS Cup champs within one.

Minutes after the break, it was like deja vu for LAFC fans as an error a the back finished with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring the equalizing goal.

With the momentum now leaning towards the visitors, Vela made sure to put his side back in front when he hustled his way to a through ball for Diego Rossi, who finished with his left foot to put the score 3-2 in favor of LAFC.

The hosts soon made it 4-2 after super sub Adama Diomande got on the end of a Diego Rossi cross.

But once again the Galaxy came roaring back from a set-piece goal scored by Rolf Feltscher to cut the lead to just one.

This, however, this would end up being LAFC’s night as Diomande would weave his way past several defenders before finishing into the back of the net, to the delight of the noisy home support who would go on to see their team win 5-3 in their first ever win over the Galaxy.