24 February 2023 , 20:07
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Los Angeles Galaxy's season opener against LAFC has been cancelled due to rain, with Major League Soccer forced into the decision after consulting local officials in Los Angeles.
Galaxy were meant to face off against LAFC at the Rose Bowl in California in a game meant to break the MLS attendance record. However, an unprecedented downpour has forced the game to be suspended until a later date.
Los Angeles has been hit with an unprecedented period of weather over the past few days, and due to security measures at the 89,000-capacity Rose Bowl, the league says it was left with no choice but to postpone.
The game was scheduled to be played at the neutral Rose Bowl with hopes of breaking the MLS attendance record, with up to 80,000 fans expected to attend.
A rescheduled date for the game will be announced in due course, and will potentially give LA Galaxy a boost regarding Javier Hernandez. The former Manchester United striker was ruled out of the game earlier in the week due to injury, and didn't train on Thursday.
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Galaxy were also missing Brazilian winger Douglas Costa, and will be hoping the rescheduled game gives them a chance to get the ex-Bayern Munich speedster back into the team before the rivalry game.
LAFC's opening game of their MLS Cup defence has been postponed (Getty Images)For LAFC, the game was a chance to announce themselves as the kings of Los Angeles, having won the MLS Cup for the first time in team history last year. They would, of course, be starting life after Gareth Bale, with the Welshman having retired after the World Cup.
LAFC are yet to replace their MLS Cup hero, and after Cristian Arango departed for Mexican side Pachuca, they face starting the season without a recognised no.9. On top of it being a big blow for both Los Angeles teams, it's the last thing MLS would have wanted as it's been hyped up as the main event on opening weekend.
During 2022 alone, there were 17 goals across the four El Trafico fixtures, with both teams taking the win on two occasions. Following LAFC's MLS Cup win it's only added to the drama, but their meeting will have to wait for now.
LA Galaxy are five-time winners of the MLS Cup, although their last success came all the way back in 2014 - before LAFC were even founded. The tide has turned in Los Angeles, and unfortunately in this instance, it's not just in a sporting sense.