- Bale not in the 18 due to injury
- Chiellini starts on bench
- LAFC win 3-2 with last-gasp winner
WHAT HAPPENED? Bale was left out of LAFC's 18-man squad due to a left leg injury, with LAFC still able to field their usual front three of Carlos Vela, Chicho Arango and Denis Bouanga. Chiellini, meanwhile, remained on the bench with LAFC instead opting to start Jesus Murillo and Eddie Segura.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: LAFC took care of business even without Bale, with Bouanga scoring twice before Arango scored a late winner in the 3-2 triumph. Chiellini, meanwhile, came on in stoppage time to help LAFC preserve that late lead.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
Getty Images
Getty Images
THE VERDICT: Even without Bale in the attack, LAFC have proven to be just fine. Vela remains one of the best in MLS, while Bouanga played his best game in an LAFC shirt against the Galaxy. Arango, meanwhile, was LAFC's leading scorer with 16 goals during the regular season before his late winner.
And, with those three leading the way, the Galaxy were able to seal a Supporters' Shield for having the best record in MLS. Perhaps more importantly, they'll also have home-field advantage all through the MLS playoffs as a result.
WHAT NEXT FOR LAFC? After defeating the Galaxy, LAFC will face the winner of FC Dallas' conference semifinal clash against Austin FC.