LAFC clinch MLS Cup Playoffs spot after 2-2 El Tráfico draw at LA Galaxy

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

LOS ANGELES — LAFC secured an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot with a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy in El Tráfico on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire at BMO Stadium. The result capped a dramatic cross-town matchup in which the Galaxy struck early through Joseph Paintsil, only to have LAFC respond with goals by Denis Bouanga and Leo Walta.

Joseph Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead with a brace, giving LA Galaxy an early buffer and quieting the crowd at BMO Stadium. The two-goal lead created a tense picture for LAFC, but the defending MLS Cup champion group remained in the contest and continued to push for an equalizer.

Denis Bouanga narrowed the margin in the 53rd minute with what was described as his 18th goal of the season. Bouanga’s strike swung momentum back toward LAFC and set up the late push that followed, keeping El Tráfico’s storyline firmly in motion.

Nine minutes later, Leo Walta scored to level the match, and the goal came with help from Son Heung-Min. In the season context provided, Son Heung-Min’s 15 assists are tied for first in MLS, level with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami and Evander of FC Cincinnati.

With the 2-2 scoreline holding, LAFC’s postseason qualification was confirmed in front of its home fans. Interim head coach Xavi Tamarit said the club and players were “very happy” to achieve the target, adding that the fight required to reach it is “not easy for anyone.”

Tamarit also emphasized the team’s response after falling into a difficult situation, saying he was “very proud of the team” for how it overcame the moment. Aaron Long, the Galaxy captain and defender, framed the match as a reminder of LAFC’s competitiveness in trying stretches, saying the team showed it was “willing to fight even in tough times.”

Long also addressed the result from a perspective on outcomes, noting that it was “not the result that we wanted in terms of a tie,” while adding that “some ties feel better than others.” Separately, the matchup featured individual milestones tied to El Tráfico history as Bouanga extended his scoring streak against the Galaxy.

The source reported that Bouanga has scored in eight straight regular-season matches against the Galaxy. Postgame, Bouanga indicated his competitive focus on his cross-town opponent when addressing reporters, saying, “I want to kill this team,” and explaining that he enjoys scoring so often against them.

At the same time, Bouanga connected his night’s production to LAFC’s next objective, describing playoff possibilities and the idea that other teams may not want to face LAFC. With the postseason spot clinched, the implications of the draw were both immediate and practical for scheduling and preparation.

Following Sunday’s El Tráfico, only two regular-season games remain for LAFC. The source placed LAFC in sixth in the Western Conference, while also stating the team is only one point away from a top-four position, keeping the order for home-field considerations and playoff positioning in play.

Next on the schedule, LAFC will host Minnesota United FC next Sunday at 8:30 pm, with the match listed as on Apple TV. The playoff qualification provided a confirmed postseason runway, but the final two regular-season matches still shape LAFC’s seeding hopes heading into the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Meanwhile, the match underscored the rivalry’s end-to-end volatility, with the Galaxy’s early cushion from Paintsil giving way to LAFC’s late surge led by Bouanga and Walta. The 2-2 draw delivered both a dramatic El Tráfico moment and a season-defining outcome for LAFC’s playoff picture.