Riqui Puig leads Galaxy to win over LAFC in front of MLS record crowd at Rose Bowl
Chriss Hughes
Original LA Galaxy mascot Twizzle waves the victory flag at the end of an MLS soccer match between the LA Galaxy and the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku, center, heads the ball against the LA Galaxy during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Douglas Costa chases the ball against the Los Angeles FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A LA Galaxy fan holds up a sign prior to the start of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A soccer fan holds up an American flag prior to the start of an MLS soccer match between the LA Galaxy and the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy supporters ignite red flairs during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Fireworks explode while the national anthem plays to a record breaking 82,110 fans in attendance prior to the start of an MLS soccer match between the LA Galaxy and the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC enter the field, to a record breaking 82,110 fans in attendance, prior to the start of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (1) catches the ball in the air against the Los Angeles FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, left, makes a save off a kick by LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić, right, vies for the ball with Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the LA Galaxy during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, center, makes a stop after a goal attempt by Los Angeles FC forward Nathan Ordaz, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, right, controls the ball against LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC supports cheer during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Erik Dueñas, left, moves the ball against the LA Galaxy during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Timothy Tillman, left, kicks the ball against the LA Galaxy during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Raheem Edwards, left, and Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku chase the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo look on during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney looks on during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Calegari, front, chases after the ball defended by Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, left, moves the ball against LA Galaxy midfielder Tyler Boyd during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini kicks the ball against the LA Galaxy during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig kicks the ball against the Los Angeles FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, center, moves the ball between Los Angeles FC defenders during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić celebrates with a rose in his mouth after defeating the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig celebrates after scoring the winning goal against the Los Angeles FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Raheem Edwards, left, battles Los Angeles FC midfielder Timothy Tillman during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Calegari heads the ball against the Los Angeles FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, controls the ball against LA Galaxy defender Calegari during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, front, is held by Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sanchez during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Douglas Costa, center, vies for the ball with Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Tyler Boyd celebrates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig celebrates with a rose in hand at the end of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, left, jumps in the air after scoring the winning goal against the Los Angeles FC during the second half of an MLS soccer match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. LA Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
PASADENA — There was no clowning around at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.
Setting a Major League Soccer attendance record, the 20th El Trafico derby was as fierce as the city has come to expect when the L.A. Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club ram into one another.
Puig’s game winner in the 73rd minute gave the second-year Galaxy star, an All-Star in 2023, more room to brag after he was criticized for celebrating too hard in a U.S. Open Cup win in May over what was essentially an LAFC team mostly composed of prospects.
Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini called Puig a clown that night — he apologized privately and publicly — because he wanted to defend the kids who put on an LAFC jersey that night.
But on Tuesday Puig’s goal plus an assist on the Galaxy’s first score could not be dismissed against a first-choice LAFC team.
He was clearly the best player on the field.
Unfolding on Independence Day because the scheduled season opener was postponed due to inclement weather last February, the Galaxy had not played a competitive match at the Rose Bowl since an MLS Cup semi final contest against the Colorado Rapids in front of 24,742 fans on Oct. 5, 2002 — the first of their five league championship seasons.
Two decades later the rivalry, which would have been unfathomable while the Galaxy helped forge American professional soccer during its formative years playing in Pasadena, topped the previous attendance record set on March 5, 2022, when the Galaxy squared off against Charlotte FC in front of 74,479 fans at Bank of America Stadium.
Close to an even split inside the Stadium, the crowd was primarily decked out in Galaxy white or LAFC black, making the partition easy to see.
Supporters on both sides stood and chanted from behind the opposing goals, and had good reason to raise their voices.
Tyler Boyd put the Galaxy ahead in the eighth minute, with his third finish against LAFC in 2023, another line drive that hit the back of the net.
LAFC got back into the match in the second half, when Ilie Sanchez headed in a goal off a corner kick to the near post.
The goalkeepers did their part keeping the match level until Boyd’s finish in the 26th minute.
John McCarthy, celebrating his 31st birthday, denied Puig eight minutes in with a stretching, lunging save after the Spaniard found himself clear inside the six-yard box for the first of his four saves.
Less than 10 minutes later it was Jonathan Bond’s turn to keep the match scoreless.
The English keeper saved a goal — and perhaps himself — when a rocket of a volley off the right foot of Denis Bouanga fizzed toward his head.
Instinctively, Bond raised his hands to redirect the ball over the net for one of his four saves. Jonathan Klinsmann replaced Bond in the second half, and recorded another three saves.
With the victory, the Galaxy improved its all-time series mark against LAFC to 9-6-5, once again dominating on their home field (8-1-2).
In 108 all-time regular-season and playoff games played at Rose Bowl Stadium, the Galaxy hold a combined record of 87-32-9 record.
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