LAFC rallies against rival Galaxy to secure playoff spot

Oct 25, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Galaxy forward Robert Taylor (21) controls the ball against Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-Min (7) during the first half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images Denis Bouanga and Leo Walta each scored goals in a span of nine minutes in the second half and Los Angeles FC clinched a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs by rallying for a 2-2 tie against the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. LAFC (12-9-11, 47 points) remained in sixth place with two games remaining in the season but are just one point out of fourth place and home-field advantage in Round One of the playoffs. Hugo Lloris made three saves for LAFC, which remained unbeaten (1-0-3) under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit. Joseph Paintsil scored a pair of goals for the Galaxy (10-11-11, 41 points) which remained in the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. JT Marcinkowski made three saves with none bigger than a diving stop on a shot from LAFC's Tyler Boyd just before the final whistle. The match was the 28th all-time between the rivals and the all-time series remained even at 10-10-8 for each club. LAFC thought they had the early lead 28 minutes into the match when Heung-Min Son scored. But the play was ruled offside and was confirmed on VAR replay. Less than a minute after the resumption of play, the Galaxy's Robert Taylor forced a turnover at midfield, moved up the right side of the field and sent a cross to Paintsil for a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute. Taylor received the start for the Galaxy only because Marco Reus was out of the starting lineup because of illness. Paintsil added to the lead six minutes into the second half when he followed a shot from teammate Erik Thommy and scored on the rebound from a Lloris save. LAFC needed just two minutes to respond and cut the deficit to 2-1 when Bouanga pounced on the rebound from an Armindo Sieb shot and scored past Marcinkowski. The goal was Bouanga's team-leading 18th of the season. LAFC tied the match 2-2 in the 62nd minute when a deflected centering pass from Son fell to the feet of Walta who poked a shot through the legs of Marcinkowski. Bouanga nearly gave LAFC the lead in the 85th minute but Marcinkowski made a save near the edge of the 6-yard box. --Field Level Media