MLS review: Florida derby and El Trafico make up a weekend of rivalries

Sean Fisher
30 August 2021

After the MLS All-Stars edged the win via penalties last week, MLS returned this weekend with a number of rivalry matches inclduding draws in both the Florida derby and El Trafico.

The MLS settled into the second half of the season this weekend after Wednesday's All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

For the most part, the weekend was dominated by rivalries with El Trafico, Hell is Real derby, the Florida derby, Texas derby and Cascadia Cup all taking place and sharing the headlines.

As for this week, the United States National Team are in action for their World Cup qualifiers, while the MLS also has 13 games over the weekend.

Inter Miami can't break deadlock

Daryl Dike, Orlando City, Inter Miami, derby, MLS

They didn't manage the win the Florida derby, but a 0-0 draw on the road wasa good result for Phil Neville and Inter Miami FC.

The Herons travelled to Orlando City SC with two straight wins and points in six of their last seven.

Goalkeeper Nick Marsman was their hero with a penalty save in the 12th minute, followed by a save at point-blank range with 10 minutes to play.

Orlando City didn't start Daryl Dike and Nani, but the attacking duo did come on from the bench in the second half. However, their late introduction may have cost them as Tesho Akindele missed the penalty kick in the first half, while regular taker Nani sat helplessly on the sidelines.

Rodolfo Pizarro continued to impress for Miami, coming closest to a goal in the 22nd minute. Both teams had goals wiped out in the first half due to offsides and eventually shared the points.

With another point now on the board, Miami continues to climb the standings and can still possibly push for a play-off spot.

They are currently tied with Chicago Fire on 23 points for 10th place in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando City remain in second, 14 points adrift of New England.

The Herons stay on the road this weekend as they travel to FC Cincinnati. Both teams will be missing players due to the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, but MLS is not taking another international break.

A classic El Trafico

Saturday's Los Angeles derby immediately entered the history books, after LA Galaxy rallied late for a 3-3 draw on the road against LAFC.

Both teams held leads and saw players score a brace, but when all was said and done, they shared the points.

Despite both Chicharito and Carlos Vela missing through injury, the stars still came out to play at the Banc of California Stadium. Dejan Jovelic, a new Galaxy addition in the under-22 initiative, put the visitors on top in the 20th minute before LAFC replied with a penalty kick in the 44th.

Brian Rodriguez put LAFC on top before Jovelic equalised. Rodriguez scored again two minutes later, but the Galaxy earned the draw after Kevin Cabral scored four minutes from time.

The Galaxy slid into fourth place in the Western Conference, while LAFC are all the way down in 10th. Bob Bradley's Black and Gold are now two points off from of a potential play-off spot but also have two teams they need to top.

LAFC will play host to second-place Sporting KC next weekend. The Galaxy, meanwhile, are off until September 11 when they travel to third-placed Colorado Rapids. They are hoping to have Chicharito back for that showdown for the first time since early June.