Definition of El Trafico

What is the meaning of the term El Trafico when it comes to the sport of soccer?

El Trafico is the name for the derby between two Los Angeles based Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.

This is a brand new rivalry, as Los Angeles FC played their first MLS match in 2018.

The catchy and fitting El Trafico nickname for the derby, whoever came up with it, was an instant hit with fans of both clubs. It is a humorous play on the famous El Clasico derby between Real Madrid and Barcelona, referring to the heavy highway traffic that the city of Los Angeles is known for.





The first El Trafico was played in March of 2018. And what a match it was. LAFC went ahead 0-3, only for LA Galaxy to produce an epic comeback, winning the game with the score of 4-3. The international superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic entered the game in the second half for his very first time in LA Galaxy colours and made an instant mark with a wonder goal, followed by a injury time game-winner. This was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining matches the MLS has ever seen. An instant classic.

We can only hope that the world's newest derby, El Trafico, has a bright future and will excite the soccer fans in LA and abroad for years to come.