MLS news: LAFC victory in El Trafico, O’Brien scores first goal, Vieira new job?

It was an enthralling weekend of MLS news and action with LAFC beating LA Galaxy in El Trafico and Lewis O’Brien scoring his first goal for DC United. Elsewhere, former NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira has been linked with taking over at Nottingham Forest. 

MLS news: Victory for LAFC in El Trafico

LAFC won the MLS Cup last year beating LA Galaxy along the way in the conference semifinals. Steve Cherundolo’s side has again asserted their dominance over their neighbors with a 3-2 victory over the Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park.

Carlos Vela opened the scoring for LAFC with a curling finish into the top corner. However, the Galaxy equalized just before halftime through a wonder strike by Tyler Boyd from distance.

Vela put LAFC back in front from the penalty spot after Jose Cifuentes was brought down by Sega Coulibaly in the box. Ryan Hollingshead on his birthday then headed in from a Vela corner to make it three.

Chicharito’s shot/cross was turned in by Marco Delgado to get one back for the Galaxy. They came close to equalizing again but for a fantastic save by John McCarthy off of a Lucas Calegari effort.

It was LAFC’s first victory in El Trafico at the Galaxy and they are now second in the Western Conference only to St. Louis City by one point. The Galaxy are left joint bottom of the division. It is a bad time for the club which has problems on and off the field.

MLS news: Lewis O’Brien nets the winner for DC United

It was a surprise transfer that saw 24-year-old Lewis O’Brien go on loan to DC United from Forest. However, it looks to be one that is paying off after the English midfielder scored the winning goal for DC in their victory over CF Montreal.

O’Brien tapped in the winner in the 46th minute for the Black-and-Red which was to be the only goal of the game. The result claimed an important three points for Wayne Rooney’s side.

It was DC’s first victory in six games and they are now 11th in the Eastern Conference and just one point off the playoffs. O’Brien took to Twitter after the game to celebrate his goal and posted “Hopefully the first of many #vamosunited”

O’Brien joined DC after a disappointing first season in the Premier League where he played just 13 times for Steve Cooper’s Forest side. He came close to joining Blackburn Rovers in January but the move fell through on transfer deadline day. Circumstance has led to him being in MLS but he is starting to play a vital role for DC this year.

MLS news: Patrick Vieira linked with Forest job

Former NYCFC head coach Vieira has been linked with taking over at Forest in the Premier League. The Frenchman was only recently sacked by Crystal Palace but could be in line for a swift return to management.

The Daily Star has reported that “Vieira tops Nottingham Forest’s list of possible replacements for under-fire Steve Cooper.” Forest lost to Manchester United and has now not won in their last ten games.