VAR controversy didn't dull El Trafico as Chicharito, Galaxy get best of Vela's LAFC

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Most of the capacity crowd at the stadium were there to watch the game.

Imagine a boxing promotion in which the two Mexican superstars faced each other for the first time in Major League Soccer. In one corner, you had the LA GALAXY'sHernandez, a prolific scorer who had previously played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Mexico national team. In the other corner, wearing black, you had LAFC's Vela, a quiet genius on the wings who once made him one of the most feared attackers in elite European club soccer.

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After years of holding up a first match between the two teams in MLS, it became a reality, leading to a brilliant pre-game atmosphere before the sold-out rivalry match. An endless array of jerseys from the two team captains was lost among the barbecues, banda, Mexican flags and pickup games in the parking lot. One could be forgiven for thinking that a game for El Tri was being played again with the additional Mexican national team kits.

In an undercard of sorts ahead of the main event, local LA Galaxy supporters and visiting members of LAFC began taking vocal jabs at one another through chants and songs. The match last season saw fans brawl in the stands and it was refreshing to see it again. The LAFC fans made their voices heard, but once the trophy was raised, it foretold how the evening would turn out.

VAM❇️S P❇️R SEIS.@CH14_ x @ACBxLA pic.twitter.com/nGYJs09QfL

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 10, 2022

By the 13th minute, Chicharito had found the back of the net with a headed ball. In the 23rd minute, his shot bounced off the post. In the 28th minute, LAFC's captain appeared to have finally scored off a headed ball, but the opportunity was controversially called off. The lead was doubled in the 31st minute thanks to a goal from Sega Coulibaly.

After a rebounded ball fell to Arango, who then scored to pull one back in the 78th minute, LAFC and their talisman, Carlos Vela, went to work in the second half. LAFC's Latif Blessing found an equalizing goal in the final moments of the game before the VAR overruled the goal. The home crowd erupted in cheers after the final whistle blew, handing the hosts the win.

The game was very emotional and we won the derby.

It was a stunning result with incredible support from the stands, and as expected, both Vela andHernandez were in the middle of it all as the captains and focal points of the attack.

Electric, man. These games are fun. These games are intense. I was dead by the last 15 minutes. Man dead. These games are intense. There is always drama. " Whether you wanted or not, there is always going to be drama," said the full-back who has also played for LAFC.

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo said they were unlucky not to get a point.

Mexican national team supporters were left wondering why their absences from El Tri remains after watching the two go toe-to-toe in MLS.

Respeto 🇲🇽🤝🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/eG926u2tti

— LAFC (@LAFC) April 9, 2022

It's odd that the mood and ambience is on par with a Mexico match, but neither of them would be involved if it were so. He already said the door is shut to the national team for him, so he will retire from the international stage. For the player who remains open, that is more complicated. Chicharito won the latest edition of MLS's showcase rivalry and has the LA Galaxy on the right track back to title contention, but there is a much more confusing path back to his place within Mexico's national team structure.

There are many whispers and rumors that point to issues behind the scenes that have yet to be resolved with the strikers and those in the national team setup. With the Mexican national team scoring just four goals in their last five World Cup qualification games, it seems like a return forHernandez would have been an easy fix for the attack.

If someone like Chicharito or even Vela had been included, there might have been a change in atmosphere in the stands at the Azteca, which felt flat and dull in the games that were open to the public. There are several reasons why the historic Mexico City venue is not as intimidating or lively as it used to be, but in a World Cup year that featured an invitation to the tournament for the men's national team, it is strange.

The first Vela vs Chicharito meeting might be the last one. There are reports of ongoing talks between the two parties, but nothing has been finalized as of yet.

It is clear that the two won't share the pitch again with El Tri, but as for MLS, we might not ever get another contest between Mexico's most talented player and the all-time leading scorer.

The El Trafico bragging rights are held by Chicharito and the LA Galaxy.