With their backs against the wall, the LA Galaxy put together their first 90 minute performance of the season when they needed it the most. Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s lineup and tactics were spot on and Zlatan Ibrahimovic notched a stylish hat trick as LA soundly defeated their city rivals by a a 3-2 scoreline that included a blown offside call and a questionable PK decision for the visitors.

We weren’t subtle about it: Ibra put on a mental masterclass that night. Don’t sleep on Zlatan’s world-class ability to get inside his opponent’s head. On and off the field, LAFC have yet to match LA’s grit and intensity when everything’s on the line.

The fortunes of both teams have improved since. LAFC have won four straight and added expensive reinforcements, while the Galaxy attack has turned a corner with Cristian Pavón’s arrival.

Don’t let Mark Anthony-Kaye’s words fool you. This city belonged to the Galaxy long before LA donned the black and gold their city rivals have since borrowed as their own look. Now on their fifth attempt to defeat the original club from Los Angeles, all the pressure is on LAFC to deliver.