LAFC fight back to draw Galaxy in topsy-turvy El Trafico

The LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC produced an entertaining 3-3 draw that changed little in the context of the Western Conference but added more drama to one of Major League Soccer's fast-growing rivalries.

The Galaxy built a 3-1 lead early in the first half, only to lose it in the final 45 minutes at Banc of California Stadium.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic set the tone just two minutes in with a no-look, left-footed finish that eluded LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller.

Latif Blessing's tap-in briefly restored parity, but Ibrahimovic then caught LAFC with a sneaky run behind the defense in the 15th minute. The towering Swede controlled a long ball, caressed it past the onrushing Miller, and fired the Galaxy back into the lead.

LAFC couldn't find their bearings and the Galaxy capitalized again. Cristian Pavon - the slick Argentinian who arrived on loan from Boca Juniors earlier in August - cut through the defense to score his first goal in MLS.

But LAFC entered halftime on a high, as Blessing pounced on a lucky bounce to bring the hosts within one.

The second stanza was spent almost exclusively in the Galaxy's end, and the visitors paid for their timid play. As LAFC probed for an equalizer, captain Carlos Vela found space and banged home his league-leading 27th goal of the season.

LAFC remain in first place in the West, with the Galaxy still 20 points behind their rivals.