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When the Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles FC square off in the first El Trafico game of the season on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park, one of Major League Soccer's most contentious rivalries will take centre stage.
The Galaxy are one of two MLS teams without a win at this point in the season after losing 3-0 to the Houston Dynamo last Saturday. The defending champions are the only team without a loss after defeating Austin FC 3-0 last week.
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Despite having an array of excellent players on its roster, the Galaxy are still struggling six games into the new season, sitting second to last in the Western Conference with just three points.
This club has done well this year in spurts, as manager Greg Vanney has repeatedly noted, but they also have a tendency to lose focus, and it is at those times that they have been punished.
The Galaxy's frustrations reached a breaking point last weekend in Houston when they received two unnecessary red cards. Greg Vanney afterwards apologised to the supporters, calling the players' actions disrespectful of their brand.
LAFC have continued where they left off in 2022, and they appear to be strong favourites to win the MLS Cup again this year. They have managed to avoid defeat in their first six games for the second time since joining the league in 2018, the last time occurring in 2019, when LA won their first Supporters' Shield.
Steve Cherundolo's team moved to the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) semi-finals on Tuesday by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 and won the match 6-0 on aggregate, demonstrating that not even the demands of that competition can slow them down.
LAFC, who have 14 points domestically after six games and have recorded four straight clean sheets in all competitions, do not currently appear to be affected by weariness.
GOAL brings you everything you need to know about where to watch the game on TV and stream it live online.