BAY LAKE – It may not have been in Los Angeles, but the El Trafico didn’t lack any intensity. Los Angeles FC exploded offensively to claim a 6-2 win over cross-town rivals LA Galaxy at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Sunday night’s MLS is Back action.
It only took five minutes for the opening goal to come. The older team scored the opener after a ball swung back, seeing Latif Blessing put the ball in his own net. Eight minutes later, the teams were back on level terms after a Perry Kitchen foul allowed Diego Rossi to score from the spot.
The half was frantic, with the sides trading blows in a fast and physical affair, and another penalty came in the 31st minute. Dejan Jakovic fouled Joe Corona, which led to Cristian Pavon putting it away and putting Galaxy back in front.
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When it seemed Galaxy would go to the break in front, Rossi sealed his brace to make it even at half-time. Some slick passing allowed Mark-Antony Kaye to set up Bradley Wright-Phillips, whose shot was saved only to fall right for Rossi to make it 2-2.
Galaxy thought it took its third lead of the match when Pavon got it past the keeper after a bad giveaway from the new club. Pavon quickly put it away only be flagged offside, correctly, after very slightly mistiming his run.
Wright-Phillips made LA Galaxy pay for that mistake. He was given just too much time and space, allowing him to curl it out of the reach of David Bingham and give the black and gold its first lead of the match in the 57th minute.
Rossi wrapped up the match and his hat trick in the 76th minute when Jose Cifuentes sent it long for Brian Rodriguez. That allowed him to square for Rossi, who had a simple tap-in. Salt was rubbed into the wound just four minutes later when Mohamed El-Munir launched it from 20 yards after making space for himself.
The Galaxy defense had time to fall apart one last time. Rossi had his fourth after Francisco Ginella laid off to an open Blessing who squared for Rossi to pass it home.
The Portland Timbers sealed their place in the MLS is Back knockout rounds with a 2-1 win over Houston Dynamo in the only other match of the day.
A long ball allowed the Timbers to turn defense into attack and open the scoring in the 35th minute. The ball went over 50 yards before landing at the feet of Jeremy Ebobisse on the left. He kept his run going and slotted it home from a seemingly tricky angle.
That goal capped a reasonable period of pressure for Portland, which had started to take charge of following some good early pressure from Houston. Dynamo woke up after the goal but couldn’t get through a strong goalkeeping performance from Steve Clark, keeping it 1-0 at the break.
Portland sealed the win just after the hour mark, yet again a long ball catching out the Houston defense. The ball came to Larrys Mablala, who was able to square for Diego Valeri, left with far too much space, allowing him to cut in and stick it in the net.
Dynamo had a lifeline in the match with five minutes to play after a handball gave Houston a penalty, dispatched by Albert Ellis to give his side a chance. Ellis instantly went to the villain, getting sent off two minutes later after collecting Bill Tuiloma in the face for his second yellow card, ending Houston’s chances.
PHOTO COURTESY: Xavier Dussaq
Florida Soccer Report 
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