The Pitch: Galaxy in the Driver’s Seat Ahead of El Trafico

Rivalries renewed and rivalries brewed, the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, and an AI-powered MLS NEXT Pro broadcast highlight this week’s marquee matches.

El Trafico This Saturday: This Saturday the first El Trafico of 2024 will see the LA Galaxy looking to extend their six-game unbeaten run to start the season at the home of their crosstown rivals, LAFC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

MLS clubs host LIGA MX in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarters Midweek: the three MLS clubs will host LIGA MX opposition in the first leg of the Quarterfinals. With all three LIGA MX teams sitting atop the LIGA MX standings, the quarterfinal round will be among the toughest tests ever faced by MLS clubs.

TUESDAY

Reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew hosts Tigres UANL on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET).

New England Revolution hosts seven-time Concacaf champions Club América (9 p.m. ET).

WEDNESDAY

Inter Miami CF hosts CF Monterrey, a club that has won two of the last five editions of the tournament, on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET)

Budding Rivalry in the East: New York Red Bulls travel to an undefeated FC Cincinnati side in what promises to be an intense match courtesy of recent playoff history.

AI-Powered MLS NEXT Pro Broadcast: Orlando City B and Inter Miami CF II will play a regular season match today at 6 p.m. ET at Generation adidas Cup, with broadcasts in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese by Camb.AI (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

With the LA Galaxy sitting in first place in the West and unbeaten through their first six games (3-0-3) for the first time since 2010 (5-0-1), the team goes into Saturday’s El Trafico match against crosstown rival LAFC with a new air of confidence.

But LAFC look to hold their ground at home. LAFC have not lost to the Galaxy at home since 2020 and are undefeated at home this season.

Integral for the Galaxy:

Dejan Joveljic has scored five goals in six appearances for the Galaxy and is currently tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. Newcomers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have combined for three goals between them as the Galaxy’s offensive fire power is just one goal behind Inter Miami CF (14) for most so far this season.

LAFC Stars Starting to Shine:

LAFC stars in Denis Bouanga and Eduard Atuesta are starting to find their feet with two goals each in their last two games, and it is on LAFC to show they have not lost a step since their MLS Cup appearance in 2023.

History…