Expect some fireworks during and after the match Thursday when Los Angeles FC visits archrival Los Angeles Galaxy in the latest installment of El Trafico at the historic Rose Bowl.

The fierce foes will be battling for the top spot in the Western Conference standings. Though tied in points, LAFC (12-4-4, 40 points) holds the advantage over the Galaxy (11-3-7, 40 points), and is first in the standings.

“These are the games as a professional that you want to play,” Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy said. “Two top teams competing to be at the top … it’ll be a good one.”

LAFC has been on a tear for more than two months, going on a 9-1-1 run since April 27, scoring 22 goals in that span, and enters the match unbeaten in nine straight (8-0-1). LAFC is coming off a 3-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, marking the club’s sixth clean sheet in the past nine matches. LAFC has conceded just four goals during that stretch.

Midfielder Mateusz Bogusz is second on the team with 12 goals, one behind leader Denis Bouanga. Five of Bogusz’s goals have come over the past two matches.

The Galaxy are no slouches, either. They’ve won four in a row and six of seven after a 3-0 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. The Galaxy are 6-1-4 in their past 11 matches. They’ve shut out their opponents in three straight matches.

They beat LAFC in last year’s Rose Bowl matchup despite trailing their rivals by 16 points.

“We know that when they have to play against us, they always raise their level,” LAFC midfielder Ilie Sanchez said. “No matter what Galaxy we saw the past two seasons, at least since I’m with LAFC, they always come at us with everything they have and looking their best.”

Joseph Paintsil, who is tied for second on the Galaxy with six goals, has tallied twice in four matches since returning from a hamstring injury.

–Field Level Media