Joseph Paintsil Scored Twice in El Tráfico — LAFC Came Back Anyway and Took a Playoff Spot

LAFC thought they had the first goal. In the 29th minute, Son Heung-min finished off a rebound of Bouanga's shot — and the flag killed it, offside, confirmed after a long video review. Less than a minute after play restarted, the Galaxy made them pay for it: Robert Taylor forced a turnover at midfield, drove down the right and crossed low for Paintsil to tap home at the back post in the 34th.

Taylor was only starting because Marco Reus was a late scratch through illness. Paintsil was back in the starting XI himself, and in the 51st minute he doubled the lead — Erik Thommy's shot was saved by Hugo Lloris, and Paintsil pounced on the rebound. It was his second goal of the night, his sixth and seventh of the season, and his first goals in a competitive match since August 19. Galaxy players celebrated both goals in front of LAFC fans who threw drinks at them. At 2-0 away in a derby, the night looked over.

Nine minutes that flipped it

It took LAFC two minutes to answer. Armindo Sieb ripped a shot on the counter, JT Marcinkowski saved, and Bouanga chipped home the rebound in the 53rd — his team-leading 18th goal of the season. Nine minutes later, a deflected centering pass from Son fell to Leo Walta, who poked the equaliser through Marcinkowski's legs in the 62nd.

From there, the derby lost its mind. Bouanga nearly put LAFC ahead in the 85th, Marcinkowski saving at the edge of his six-yard box. In the final seconds of stoppage time, Marcinkowski made a diving stop on Tyler Boyd, defender Justin Haak made a spectacular stop of his own — and then Bouanga redirected Boyd's bicycle kick into the net for what looked like the winner, only for that too to be ruled offside. Two disallowed goals, one each way, and a 2-2 that felt like a win for one dressing room and a defeat for the other.

What the point settled

The Sports Desk's read: the Galaxy didn't draw this game, they lost two points — a 2-0 lead and a brace from their returning striker, and they still leave with their season down to two must-wins, while the point they gave away put LAFC in the playoffs.

For LAFC, the point is enough: they are in the playoffs for the eighth time in their nine seasons (the Associated Press confirmed the berth on the night), sixth in the West on 47 points (12-9-11), one point out of fourth place and a home game in Round One — and still unbeaten (one win, three draws) since interim head coach Xavi Tamarit took over on October 1.

For the Galaxy, it is a point that should have been three. They sit ninth on 41 points (10-11-11), holding the final wild-card spot, two points ahead of Real Salt Lake, with the season down to two games: Austin FC at home on October 31, then RSL away — the team chasing them. Paintsil, whose brace should have been the story, told the Galaxy's official match report afterwards: "It's a do or die situation for us. We have to win those two games. It's a must for us. We don't have any excuse."

The 28th chapter of El Tráfico changed nothing between the rivals — 10 wins apiece, eight draws, perfectly even — and everything about the next two weeks for both of them.

The full match record from BMO Stadium — lineups, stats and the disallowed goals: LAFC 2–2 LA Galaxy — Game Center, and the rest of the weekend’s scores and standings live on Previously’s MLS hub.

By the Numbers

• 34', 51' — Joseph Paintsil's goals (his 6th and 7th of the season; first since Aug 19)
• 53' — Denis Bouanga (his 18th of the season) · 62' — Leo Walta's equaliser
• 2 — goals disallowed for offside: Son (29') and Bouanga (90'+6')
• 3 and 3 — saves apiece for Hugo Lloris and JT Marcinkowski (Field Level Media's count)
• 10-10-8 — the all-time El Tráfico series: wins, wins, draws
• 8 of 9 — LAFC's playoff appearances in nine seasons of existence
• 41 vs 47 — points: Galaxy (9th West) vs LAFC (6th West)