4 reasons why the Los Angeles Galaxy won Rivalry Week despite 2-2 draw vs. LAFC | OneFootball

This year, Major League Soccer is celebrating it's 30th regular season. Rivalry Week 2025 has wrapped up and there were quite a few surprises over the weekend.

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney saw his former team, Toronto FC win on the road 6-1 against CF Montreal. One of the Galaxy's young defenders was traded to Montreal during the winter. They, too, have struggled to find their footing this season.

Of the fifteen games during the Rivalry Week schedule, only three saw the home team win. Five games resulted in the visitors being victorious while seven games ended in a draw.

One of those games was the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. LAFC. Sunday's contests between these two rivals was one of only three games that saw more than three goals scored.

So, why are the LA Galaxy successful following a 2-2 draw vs. LAFC?

1. LAFC couldn't tie up the series against the LA Galaxy.

In the 25th all-time meeting between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC, the defending MLS Cup winners salvaged their early 1-0 lead and walked away with their fourth tie this season. Last year, the Galaxy only had seven ties.

Heading into Sunday, the six-time MLS Cup champions held a 10-5-9 advantage over LAFC. The stalemate during Rivalry Week preserved the LA Galaxy's lead over LAFC.

The two teams do battle once more on July 19, however, at BMO Stadium. The LA Galaxy have not fared as well there as they have at home playing in Carson, California.

2. The LA Galaxy offense has finally shown signs of life.

Prior to the month of May, the Los Angeles Galaxy had only scored eight goals in a span of twelve games. That is a 0.67 goal average per contest, on pace for one of the lowest in MLS's history.

Not only did they score twice last Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union, but they also put up a pair of goals on Sunday against LAFC. A season ago, the LA Galaxy had the MLS Western Conference's highest scoring offense. Their firepower continued through their postseason run as they scored a record 18 times during the playoffs.

3. A resurgence has taken place for Marco Reus.

The former Borussia Dortmund star came to the LA Galaxy mid-summer last season. Reus recorded an assist and a goal in the 2-0 victory against Atlanta United in his MLS debut.

In the LA Galaxy's last two matches, Reus has doubled those numbers. He recorded a pair of assists against Philadelphia and found the back of the net twice against LAFC.

Forward and leading scorer, Christian Ramirez, has played sparingly as of late. He did not start either of the Galaxy's last two matches despite having scored the most goals for the LA Galaxy.

Before he could turn 36 in a few weeks, Reus has turned back time and played like he is still in his 20's this month. Productivity like this while Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have missed time on the field, too, has been crucial for the LA Galaxy.

4. The 2-2 draw against playoff contending LAFC validates Greg Vanney's extensions (some).

Before Sunday's match, the team's 14th game of the regular season, LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney was extended through the 2028 MLS season. General manager Will Kuntz announced this decision on Friday last week.

Vanney won an MLS title with Toronto in 2017. It was one of three trips to the finals in a four year span.

That was impressive enough to offer Vanney the gig to be the next coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2021. In four seasons, he has taken the Galaxy to the playoffs. Last year, they clearly did better than in 2022, having won their sixth title.

Kuntz has expressed his confidence and patience with Vanney and his vision for the LA Galaxy. Hopefully, with the team avoiding their 11th loss of the season and earning one more point in the MLS Western Conference restores that confidence and patience to the Galaxy fan base, too.

Next up for the Los Angeles Galaxy is a rematch from their season opener when they visit San Diego FC on May 24. The Galaxy lost 2-0 in the previous (and only) meeting thus far.