LOS ANGELES — Another classic El Tráfico delivered drama, goals, and postseason implications on Sunday night at BMO Stadium.
Joseph Paintsil scored twice to put the LA Galaxy in control, but Denis Bouanga and Leo Walta answered in the second half as LAFC fought back for a 2-2 draw that officially locked up their spot in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Galaxy, meanwhile, remain on the outside looking in, sitting ninth in the Western Conference with just two regular-season games left.
The visitors struck first in the 34th minute. Robert Taylor intercepted a pass, drove down the right flank, and delivered a low cross that Paintsil finished at the back post. Early in the second half, the Ghanaian Designated Player doubled the lead. Erik Thommy’s shot was parried, and Paintsil pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute. It was his first brace of the season and his first goals since August.
The lead lasted only two minutes.
Armindo Sieb forced a save, and Bouanga was first to the rebound, chipping home his 18th goal of the MLS season to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 53rd minute. Nine minutes later the comeback was complete. A deflected cross fell invitingly inside the box; after a defensive miscue, Finnish midfielder Leo Walta poked the equalizer past JT Marcinkowski for 2-2. It was Walta’s second goal in as many games since joining the club.
The final stages were pure chaos. LAFC poured forward in search of a winner. Marcinkowski and Justin Haak produced crucial stops, and a late redirection by Bouanga off a Tyler Boyd overhead kick was ruled offside in the dying seconds of stoppage time. The points were shared.
LAFC (12-9-11, 47 points) clinched their eighth playoff berth in nine seasons and sit sixth in the West, just one point off the top-four places that guarantee a home playoff game. The Galaxy (10-11-11, 41 points) remain in the thick of the race for the final postseason spots but now face a must-win stretch with two matches remaining.
The all-time El Tráfico series sits even at 10 wins apiece with eight draws. Sunday’s installment lived up to the rivalry’s reputation for late drama and big moments. For LAFC the result was enough to secure October soccer and beyond. For the Galaxy, the fight continues.
