Beat crosstown rival LA Galaxy. Check.

Win an MLS Cup playoff match. Check.

Two of the top tasks we expected to be on LA Football Club’s to-do list at the start of 2019 are complete.

Redemption Accomplished

LAFC killed two birds with one stone Thursday, Oct. 24 in front of a sellout crowd at Banc of California Stadium following a 5-3 drubbing of the Galaxy. A couple of goals from MLS MVP Carlos Vela and forward Adama Diomande sandwich one from Diego Rossi. The Supporters’ Shield winners are now in the Western Conference semifinals.

“We all knew that it was our time,” said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley postgame. “It had to be the Galaxy.”

Backing up his Manager of the Year accolades received last month, Bradley coached a masterclass Thursday. After an hour, his decision to swap Brian Rodriguez for Diomande and insert Walker Zimmerman following the Galaxy’s short-lived comeback helped the defense win aerial duals and take back its two-goal lead.

The Galaxy and El Trafico

As for the Galaxy, the season comes to a halting end. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future with the team is in doubt and it’s supporters will watch the rest of the playoffs from home hoping to see its new noisy neighbors fail to win it all.

Following its first playoff edition, the rivalry between the two sides continued to flourish. With a deep LAFC playoff run, collecting more and more silverware will put more pressure on the club from Carson.

Western Conference Final

What’s next for The Black and Gold? It had to be the Seattle Sounders. The Northwesterners come into Tuesday’s encounter winless against LAFC in four tries.

The teams first met in March 2018 in Seattle for LA Football Club’s inaugural game. Rossi scored the only goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 win.

Kickoff at Banc of California Stadium in Downtown LA is set for 7 p.m. and the winner goes on to MLS Cup Final Sunday, Nov. 10.