LAFC has had a banner MLS season, winning the Supporters’ Shield as star forward Carlos Vela broke the single-season scoring record with 34 goals in just 31 appearances. LAFC is the favorite to win this year’s MLS Cup, but on Thursday, will have to open its playoff campaign hosting a team it hasn’t beaten in five attempts in its first two seasons. That team, of course, is crosstown rival the LA Galaxy, who got past Minnesota United in its opener to allow this playoff edition of El Trafico to be reality.
Here’s how to stream LAFC vs. LA Galaxy live.
| HOW TO WATCH LAFC VS. LA GALAXY WITHOUT CABLE | |
| HULU WITH LIVE TV | TRY NOW |
| SLING TV | TRY NOW |
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy
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- When: 10:30pm ET, Thursday, Oct. 24
- Where: Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California
- Streaming: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy live stream: How to watch MLS Playoffs without cable
The match is on ESPN in English and ESPN Deportes en Español; the following services provide a one-week trial and therefore an easy way to this and other MLS playoff matches live.
1) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $44.99 per month
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Hulu local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
Hulu with Live TV includes sports programming among its broad spectrum of offerings, and as a subscriber to the service, you’ll get free access to Hulu’s sizable on-demand library. (Check out the full list of Hulu Live TV channels.)
2) Sling TV
- Sling TV pricing: $25-$40 per month (40% off first month)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, Microsoft Edge, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here)
Sling TV provides two base channel package options, each priced at $25 per month. Sling Orange includes three ESPN channels, while Sling Blue includes sports channels like NBCSN (where many Premier League matches appear), NFL Network, and local channels. (Sling Blue customers in select markets get NBC, where some matches appear; see if yours has it here.) If you’re Team “Why Not Both,” Sling Orange + Blue combines the two for just $40 per month. To add beIN SPORTS and maximize your soccer-watching potential, you’ll want to add either Sports Extra: Sling Orange ($5 per month) or Sports Extra: Sling Blue ($10 per month). (The latter also includes NFL RedZone.)
Spanish-speaking viewers have quite a few options. For bilingual families, you might consider the Español: Best of Spanish TV package for either Sling Orange or Sling Blue for 24/7 specialty channel LaLiga TV and beIN SPORTS Connect: Channels 4-9, which features matches from La Liga, Ligue 1 and Copa del Rey, among others. Both packages cost $5 per month after your free trial. Sling TV Latino is another Spanish-language package for $10 per month, including NBC Universo, History en Español, and—of import to soccer fans—four beIN SPORTS channels. (And choosing Sling TV Latino + Sling Orange for $30 per month gives you access to ESPN Deportes.) For more information, check out our guide to Sling TV channels and our Sling TV review.
3) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- PlayStation Vue local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
PlayStation Vue is a fantastic option for soccer fans who already own a PlayStation console, but this streaming platform is available on a variety of devices. ESPN (where MLS games feature) and NBC and NBCSN (where the Premier League live) are part of the Core package of channels that offer soccer and other sports programming, and the options increase at the Elite and Ultra levels.
4) YouTube TV
- Cost: $50 per month
- YouTube TV devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- YouTube TV local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
YouTube TV is a great option for soccer fans, including ESPN for Champions League matches, NBC and NBCSN for Premier League matches, and broadcasting partnerships with three MLS teams. (Take a look at the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
LAFC vs. LA Galaxy: What to watch for
By virtue of winning the top seed, LAFC’s had time to rest. Still, the hosts might be without a key player, Mark-Anthony Kaye, who was injured on international duty early in Canada’s upset of the United States. Carlos Vela will, of course, be instrumental in this campaign, but look for Diego Rossi, who has 16 goals and seven assists over the course of the season, to figure considerably into a deep playoff run. Then again, LAFC had a surprising early exit in the playoffs last year, and it could be a second straight year of one-and-outs if it can’t get past its nemesis.
That nemesis had to travel to St. Paul last weekend to face Minnesota United FC. The Galaxy triumphed 2-1 thanks to Sebastian Lletget and Jonathan dos Santos, two key Galaxy contributors throughout the season. Many eyes will be on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who cut a frustrated figure in his playoff debut. However, the Galaxy’s success might hinge on rising star Cristian Pavon, who combined with Zlatan for all three Galaxy goals in its 3-3 draw with LAFC when the teams last met in August.
READ MORE:
- How to watch the Premier League
- How to watch the 2019-20 La Liga season
- How to watch the Champions League
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