Even with the Los Angeles Dodgers suffering a heartbreaking defeat to the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series, the professional sports scene in the city remains strong with plenty of high-profile events.
That was evident on Thursday when the LAFC hosted the L.A. Galaxy for a playoff matchup of “El Trafico” in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference Semifinals. It marked the first time both teams faced off in the postseason.
Prior to the highly-anticipated matchup, Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín visited with LAFC defender Diego Palacios and expressed how proud he is to see a fellow Ecuadorian play in L.A. Palacios set an MLS record this season for most goals (34) and is considered a favorite to earn the MVP Award.
Meanwhile, plenty of notable figures around the L.A. sports world were in attendance to see LAFC edge out a 5-3 win over the Galaxy, including Dodgers part owner and Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who served as an honorary falconer:
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 25, 2019
The @LAFC fan section is going crazy for @MagicJohnson 🤯⚽️ pic.twitter.com/iR5ITeg9Jr
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) October 25, 2019
Showtime. #ForLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/A6ZyGEgR7r
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 25, 2019
Joc Pederson was also on hand for the historic event and caught up with former teammate Adrian Gonzalez in the process:
Great time at @LAFC playoff game tonight. Let’s get this win tonight. Great catching up with my son @yungjoc650 #ForLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/vwbaxLPZIW
— Adrián González (@Adrian_ElTitan) October 25, 2019
Last year, Pederson and Clayton Kershaw were among those to take in an LAFC playoff game at Banc of California stadium.
The Dodgers have additional ties to LAFC with Nomar Garciaparra, Peter Guber, Magic Johnson, Tucker Kain, Lon Rosen and Jason Sugarman being members of the ownership group.
Garciaparra is an analyst for SportsNet LA while Guber and Johnson are part-owners of the Dodgers. Kain is additionally the Dodgers’ president of business enterprise and managing director of Guggenheim Baseball Management, Rosen is the team’s chief marketing officer, and Sugarman is an investor in Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With their victory over the Galaxy, LAFC advanced to the Western Conference Finals for a matchup against the Seattle Sounders. The winner will advance to the MLS Cup on November 10.
