Los Angeles Galaxy adds another California-based rivalry

The 30th regular season for Major League Soccer is officially underway. The same could be said for the Los Angeles Galaxy having a third rivalry with an in-state opponent.

Newcomers, San Diego FC, shocked the sports world by winning in Carson, California, 2-0. To blank the defending champions in a season opener at Dignity Health Sports Park was not on many people's Bingo Card this year.

With the San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC, the Galaxy already have their hands full historically. Now, as San Diego FC has entered the room, the LA Galaxy have been put on notoce.

California Clásico

The setting was Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 21st, 2001. The San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy did battle to determine the MLS Cup champion that day.

For the third time in the first six seasons of the league, the LA Galaxy were denied the title. DC United had vanquished them in the first year, 1996, and again three seasons later, in 1999.

The LA Galaxy would win their first MLS championship in 2002. The Earthquakes would win their second a year later.

Landon Donovan has played for both teams. He was a part of both titles for San Jose before joining the LA Galaxy. The sensational forward joined the Galaxy in 2005 when they won their second title in franchise history.

Dating back to 2003, the LA Galaxy have had the edge over the Earthquakes head-to-head. In 70 matches, the Galaxy have won 29 times while losing 25 times. There have been 16 draws between these two teams.

El Trafico Clasico

Another California team that has given the Los Angeles Galaxy fits in the postseason is LAFC. Despite going 7-5-5 against LAFC since 2022, the six-time champions have never ousted their crosstown rival in the playoffs.

Prior to last season, LAFC had been in the finals the previous two seasons. They won in 2022 against the Philadelphia Union but lost in 2023 to the Columbus Crew.

Technically, LAFC was the only team to beat the LA Galaxy at home last year. Though the game was not played at Dignity Health Sports Park, the July 4th game listed the Galaxy as the home team. The contest was played at a neutral site, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

The last time these two teams clashed, LAFC squandered a 2-0 lead after the first half. The LA Galaxy roared back with four second half goals. That win also clinched a guaranteed playoff berth.

LA Galaxy keeper John McCarthy won a title in 2022 with LAFC. He was named the Finals MVP that game, too. Midfielder Marky Delgado was traded this winter from the Galaxy to LAFC, as well.

Both teams finished a top of the MLS Western Conference standings with a 19-7-8 record. With the two LA teams having 64 points, LAFC was awarded the top seed over the LA Galaxy via a +1 goal differential that worked against the eventual champions.

A third California Rivalry for the LA Galaxy?

It's hard to discount the newest addition to MLS now. On Sunday, they took it to the defending champions in their own stadium. The Los Angeles Galaxy had not lost a regular season game in Carson, California since 2023.

Anders Dreyer found the back of the net for San Diego FC's first ever goal. He scored again in stoppage time minutes before the game was called. The hosts were held scoreless.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are now down 0-0-1 against this team to start their history. A rematch is already on the calendar when head coach Greg Vanney gets another crack at San Diego FC.

The two teams meet again on Saturday, May 24th. The afternoon contest will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in