El Trafico: Fan trouble rarely seen in MLS hits LAFC-Galaxy derby
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jul 28, 2018
LAFC blew a 2-0 lead in the 82nd minute and had to settle for a 2-2 tie with the LA Galaxy. (That comes after a 4-3 loss to the Galaxy at StubHub Center in March after it blew a 3-0 lead.)
LAFC's young Canadian midfielder, Mark-Anthony Kaye, one of the best first-year players in MLS, suffered an ankle fracture and might be lost for the remainder of the season.
And fan violence and vandalism marred the game.
The Los Angeles Times reported that six fans were arrested and 14 ejected from the stadium during the game. It also reported that 78 seats in an upper-deck section reserved for Galaxy fans were either damaged or ripped out.
Video taken before the game shows fans dressed in LAFC's black descending upon a small group of white-shirted fans heading to the stadium and knocking a cooler filled with beer out of one of the fan's hands.
On Friday, LAFC president Tom Penn, one of the team's owners, and Josef Zacher, president of the 3252 supporters group, released a joint statement:
"The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and The 3252 Independent Supporters Union are committed to a safe, positive, welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans at Banc of California Stadium. This is what our Club stands for as we continue to work to Unite the World’s City Through the World’s Game.
"The passion and intensity that comes with rivalry matches around the world is now in Los Angeles and is something we embrace and celebrate. LAFC and The 3252 will not tolerate illegal acts of any kind affiliated with our Club or the visiting team’s supporters at Banc of California Stadium, including the organized destruction of property. That is not who we are, and this behavior has no place at our stadium and within our Club.
"Any fans identified as participating in illegal behavior will be removed from the stadium and the Club will revoke their season membership. LAFC and its Supporters will continue to actively work together to enforce a zero-tolerance policy at Banc of California Stadium. Together, let’s win in the stands."
7 comments about "El Trafico: Fan trouble rarely seen in MLS hits LAFC-Galaxy derby".
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It's LA, I would have expected fighting over parking spaces....
R2D2 Dad, your dumb comment that "It's LA, I would have expected fighting over parking spaces...(sic)" is indicative that you're probably not an Angeleno. One question, though, were you at the game?
Ric, why are you so overly sensitive? No, I no longer live in LA but that doesn't detract from my comments in any way. Here is a funnier take on crazy LA traffic, if this makes you happier:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4347ZE0NQM
Those actors are in NYC but that doesn't make their observations any less interesting or funny. I don't have to be in LA, from LA or in LA to make comments about LA.
Angelenos can have a sense of humor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UFc1pr2yUU
You don't have to have a Prius, shop at Whole Foods or be white to laugh at this driving-related nonsense...
As an LAFC season ticket holder, I was there sitting a scant few seats away from the Carson Galaxy cheering section. Yup, they were loud and were the LAFC fans, full of vim, fun, and vinegar, but we didn't see that which is described in the LA Times article where sets were ripped off or damaged (by the Carson Galaxy fans???) We did find it kind of odd when after making a pit stop, we did see part of the concourse gated off, the increased security, and the crowd. We took the Metro from the westside to the stadium going and coming, saw nothing but a bunch of tired fans and of course non soccer passengers. Entering and exiting the stadium was electric with the fans, but as the Times article says, we didn't see any of the "activity" but we are wondering about the seats being damaged or ripped out, why would the Carson Galaxy fans behave like a bunch of fools? And once they ID the LAFC idiots, we'd like to know who they are to ensure they are expelled from the 3252 and other sections.
R2D2 DAD, It isn't a matter of "over sensitivity" as I noticed that so fart we're the only onces commenting and thus far no one else has - except for some fb LAFC comments - so my "sentive commenting" IMHO, is needed, no? Hey amigo, where do you live? And when you did, where, East, West, North, South LA??? Just wondering.
Ric I will comment here. I live in So Cal and aggre with anger problems here. Weather driving on the roads or refing soccer games, we have a problem here. And how do we not know that LAFC fans damaged the seats after the game? LAFC fans remind me of RAIDERS fans. Both good and not good. I have never been to a GALAXY game where this could happen Just sayin. Yours in soccer. Play on.