<p>Independence Day in America is not typically associated with a domestic soccer match. However, in the summer of 2024, soccer takes center stage. Amid the fervor of the European Championships and Copa América, a unique club rivalry continues to unfold: LAFC vs. L.A. Galaxy, a rare spectacle on the 4th of July.</p>



<p>LAFC advanced into first place in the Western Conference after defeating L.A. Galaxy 2-1 on July 4 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The win extends the black and gold’s 12-game win streak. Sierra Leonian center forward Kei Kamara and French Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga struck back-to-back goals before the first-half whistle. The latter pummeled a penalty kick past former teammate John McCarthy for his 14th goal of the year.</p>



<h2>Cultural significance of El Trafico evident in attendance</h2>



<p>The Rose Bowl <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/don-garber-says-july-4th-el-trafico-may-break-mls-record/">expected a turnout</a> similar to last year’s showdown between the two teams. El Trafico set the most extensive attendance record for a Major League Soccer match: 82,110. In 2024, the fixture fell short of that total.</p>



<p>On the holiday this Thursday, 70,076 fans came to the Rose Bowl to watch the two Los Angeles MLS teams play one another. Although short of the record by a fair margin, this is a strong turnout for an MLS game. For example, it is the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/messi-to-smash-records-with-70000-expected-in-kansas-city/">second-highest attendance in MLS</a> this season. Only the Inter Miami game against Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium pulled more supporters. Earlier in the season, 72,610 fans watched that game from an NFL stadium.</p>



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<h2>From archrivalry to pseudo-respect: soccer unites Los Angeles</h2>



<p>Since LAFC’s inception, this is only the second time the two archrivals have met at the Rose Bowl on Independence Day. Like many derbies, fanatics from one team jeer and deride the other with chants and slogans geared toward insults. LAFC fanatics accuse L.A. Galaxy’s fervent patronage of not being true Angelenos because their team plays in Carson, a municipal 35 minutes away from Los Angeles. Nevertheless, Carson exists within the confines of Los Angeles County, a massive region comprised of over 88 cities. </p>



<p>Undoubtedly, Carson is an L.A. team. However, since Carson lies 18 miles in the South Bay region, the Angelenos of L.A. city – comprised of 4 million residents – claim B.M.O. Stadium as the capital venue. Considering L.A. is the second largest city in the U.S.A. by population, Los Angeles is the true epitome of what it means to be an ethnically diverse demographic. This diversity makes the soccer culture in Los Angeles inclusive.</p>



<p>From the San Fernando Valley through downtown and the municipals that lead to Long Beach, the annual match unfurled in Pasadena, a suburban town that serves as a neutral zone northeast of Carson and South Figueroa.</p>



<p>Ultimately, L.A. County’s vast topographical expanse extends from Pasadena to Long Beach, 10 miles southeast of Carson. The port cities are far removed from the city of L.A. and have a serene vibe in contrast to the city’s bustle. Nevertheless, the battle of Los Angeles between these two clubs is a testament to the massive growth of soccer in the United States. </p>



<p>The 24th installment of El Tráfico continues on Saturday, Sep. 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

El Trafico attendance strong despite failure to set MLS record

Although it failed to set another attendance record, El Trafico between LA Galaxy and LAFC pulled in hefty support on the Fourth of July


<p>A unique version of El Trafico will be a major attraction in one of the most anticipated games of the 2023 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> season. On July 4, reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC battle crosstown rivals LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.</p>



<p>While this is a young fixture with some memorable moments, the current seasons have been near opposites of one another. LAFC is set to make another playoff appearance. Currently, LAFC is level on points at the top of the Western Conference table. However, Steve Cherundolo’s squad has a game in hand on St. Louis CITY SC.</p>



<p>On the other hand, LA Galaxy is putting up a historically poor season by its standards. The club has 15 points after 18 games and recently sacked its President Chris Klein in May. To make things worse, Chicharito is out for the season with a knee injury.</p>



<p>Regardless, El Trafico always draws audiences, and the game at the Rose Bowl is a chance for history for both clubs and the league.</p>



<h5>Galaxy return at Rose Bowl for first time in 20 years</h5>



<p>Pasadena serves as the first location for this interstate rivalry, and it’s a historic one that the host team is quite familiar with. From 1996 to 2002, the Galaxy called the Rose Bowl home. In 2003, the team relocated to the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.</p>



<p>As many as 69,255 people showed out to see the first-ever game of the franchise. The Galaxy have won a league-record five MLS titles throughout their history, and their time playing in the Rose Bowl ended with the first of those titles.</p>



<h2>What is the MLS single-game attendance record?</h2>



<p>According to Kevin Baxter of the LA Times, Tuesday’s El Trafico derby at the Rose Bowl is getting close to selling out with around 80,000 tickets sold. The current MLS record attendance is 74,479, established during last year’s LA Galaxy vs Charlotte FC game. For El Trafico, few tickets are available for the game at the Rose Bowl. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The only way to see the fireworks show at the Rose Bowl this year is to have a ticket to the soccer match between the <a href="https://twitter.com/LAFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAFC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAGalaxy</a> planned for the same night. ⚽️🎆🧨<br><br>Pasadena officials want residents not to use illegal fireworks, even as the Rose Bowl&apos;s show is only open… <a href="https://t.co/IyEsmVUIcv">pic.twitter.com/IyEsmVUIcv</a></p>— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC7/status/1674497681526513664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>In fact, <a href="https://abc7.com/pasadena-rose-bowl-fireworks-4th-of-july/13437875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ABC7</a> reports that the Rose Bowl fireworks extravaganza will be inaccessible to anyone without tickets to the soccer game between LAFC and L.A. Galaxy scheduled for the same night.</p>



<p>Pasadena laws had to authorize this one-of-a-kind fireworks display. Outside of approved events, the use of fireworks is prohibited in Los Angeles and its surrounding communities.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; ZUMA Wire</em></p>


A unique version of El Trafico at the Rose Bowl is likely to shatter the current MLS single-game attendance record.

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El Trafico attendance strong despite failure to set MLS record

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El Trafico at Rose Bowl set to break MLS attendance record