For the first time in nearly two months, Major League Soccer is back.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking a break until Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina, the spotlight returns to club football. MLS resumes after a 55-day pause, and the league couldn't have picked a bigger stage for its return than El Tráfico.
This rivalry never needs much of an introduction. Thursday's match will be the 27th edition of El Tráfico, and the numbers show just how close it has been over the years. The Galaxy hold a slight edge with 10 wins, compared to 9 for LAFC, and 7 matches have ended level. Even the total goals are separated by just one, with the Galaxy scoring 57 and LAFC 56.
One question continues to follow the Galaxy ahead of kickoff: Will Riqui Puig finally be back?
Is Riqui Puig Playing Tonight?
Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The answer is no.
Puig is still on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list after undergoing a second ACL reconstruction on his left knee earlier this year.
The recovery is progressing as planned, but the Galaxy have already confirmed that the Spanish midfielder will miss the entire 2026 MLS season. The expectation is that he'll be ready for the start of the 2027 campaign.
His absence has been impossible to ignore. Since arriving from Barcelona, Puig has been the player who makes the Galaxy tick, dictating the tempo, unlocking defenses and creating chances. Replacing that influence has become one of Greg Vanney's toughest tasks.
LA Galaxy's Predicted Lineup vs. LAFC
Predicted XI (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: JT Marcinkowski
- Defenders: Miki Yamane, Jakob Glesnes, Carlos Garcés, John Nelson
- Midfielders: Edwin Cerrillo, Elijah Wynder, Erik Thommy
- Forwards: Joseph Paintsil, Marco Reus, Diego Fagúndez
The points matter just as much as the bragging rights. LAFC returns from the break in fifth place in the Western Conference with 24 points, while the Galaxy sit ninth on 20 points. A win would pull the Galaxy within a point of their rivals and provide a huge lift heading into the second half of the season.
Galaxy return from the World Cup break looking different than they did in May. Their biggest change came in attack, where leading scorer Gabriel Pec completed a club-record transfer to Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
The club responded by signing winger Robert Taylor, but with only a few days to settle in, he's expected to begin on the bench.
That leaves Marco Reus with even more responsibility.
