IT IS derby day and a police helicopter circles above the stadium as down below a tannoy asks rival fans to stop throwing objects on to the pitch.
But this is not London, Liverpool, Glasgow or Manchester, it is LA.
Tempers flared before the gameTwitter @UnivisionSports
The two sets of fans used to share the Home Depot Center until the clubs moved into their new respective stadiumsTwitter @UnivisionSports
Yes SunSport is delighted to announce the MLS finally has a derby worthy of the name after watching new boys Los Angeles FC host rivals LA Galaxy last night.
Los Angeles FC only joined the MLS this season and this was the first LA derby at their $350million Banc of California Stadium.
The 22,000-capacity arena is in the heart of downtown LA, right next door to the Coliseum which hosted the 1932 and 1984 Olympics and is set to be redeveloped as the venue for the 2026 Games.
The Banc of California Stadium has far less grandeur and is purpose-built for football or ‘soccer’.
The fans set the tone for a thrilling encounterTwitter @UnivisionSports
LAFC posit themselves as the city’s ‘people’s club’Twitter @UnivisionSports
Unlike other MLS venues it is not located in an out-of-town retail park.
This gives it the feel of a British football stadium, complete with traffic jams on all surrounding routes, already earning the LA derby the title on social media of ‘El Trafico’.
But the atmosphere at the game was undoubtedly more British than Barcelona.
Former Galaxy star David Beckham, who is about to set up his own MLS franchise in Miami, will be delighted to learn LAFC have wasted no time building a team, a stadium, a fanbase and, incredibly, an
identity.
LAPD had to be on alert throughout the matchTwitter @UnivisionSports
Banc of California stadium does not have segregated sections for the two sets of fansTwitter @UnivisionSports
While Galaxy have the bigger names, gates and star billing, LA, despite being owned by Hollywood glitterati including actor Will Farrell, have positioned themselves as the club for the people.
And with rows of makeshift tents housing thousands of homeless lining the nearby freeways, there is no danger of anybody at this new club getting pretentious.
In contrast to the Galaxy’s white kit, LA FC’s colours are black, which their fans revel in wearing, especially their ultras who call themselves ‘The 3252 Ultras’.
This is because the North Stand they occupy behind one of the goals has a seating or safe-standing capacity of 3,252.
Other fans quickly stepped in to diffuse the situationTwitter @UnivisionSports
The atmosphere at the Banc of California Stadium was raucous from the offGetty - Contributor
LAFC are keen to make their mark in their debut MLS seasonGetty - Contributor
This area was full and rocking an hour before kick-off and no wonder with tickets costing just $20 each and beer at $4 a pint.
The few thousand Galaxy fans who had made the short trip across the city were housed at the opposite end.
This produced a genuinely raucous derby atmosphere never seen before in the MLS, where most ‘local’ clashes involve a two-hour flight.
But LA already has a blossoming footballing rivalry, which only intensified after former Arsenal man Carlos Vela headed the hosts into a seventh minute lead.
The new £265m ground is the fifth-biggest ‘soccer-specific’ stadium in the MLS, with Galaxy’s 27,000-seat StubHub Center the largestGetty - Contributor
LAFC sit second in the Western Conference in their first ever MLS season, with Galaxy four points behind in fourthGetty - Contributor
With no fans’ segregation, tempers just about stayed in check as the men in black goaded their rivals.
The LAPD chopper was still circling over overhead when Lee Nguyen curled in a free kick to put the home side 2-0 up in the 20th minute.
LA, managed by former failed Swansea boss Bob Bradley, seemed on course for victory.
But his opposite number Siegfried Schmid turned this game on its head by taking off his skipper Ashley Cole – who for once looked his 37 years – midway through the second half.
Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was unable to inspire his side to victory, as he had on debut against LAFC in MarchGetty - Contributor
LAFC raced to a 2-0 first-half lead but could not hold on in the final stagesGetty - Contributor
This gave Galaxy more energy and French midfielder Romain Alessandrini pulled one back for them when he controlled Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross and slotted home in the 82nd minute.
Ola Kamara then wasted a great chance to level when his point-blank shot was blocked by keeper Tyler Miller.
But Kamara made amends by rounding Miller to equalise in the 87th minute after Andre Horta’s horror 80-yard back pass.
The goal hero was pelted with beer cups as he ran to the corner to celebrate with the visiting fans.
Yes a proper derby!
LA Galaxy skipper Ashley Cole was replaced in the second half as the visitors snatched a pointGetty - Contributor
Ola Kamara levelled for Galaxy late onGetty - Contributor
There was still time for Horta to hit a post with a 30-yard screamer before the final whistle.
It was even like a derby back home afterwards when Cole refused to talk to British reporters.
But the former England left-back did speak to Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, who was at the game.
Football fans planning their next trip would be wise to follow in the Belgian’s footsteps and get themselves out here to the Banc of California Stadium for this fixture next season.
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