USC football fans, L.A. soccer fans prepare for complicated situation on Saturday
Ian Hest is the producer and co-host of the Trojans: Wired podcast. You know him from that particular media involvement, but it’s worth pointing out that Ian also covers the Inter Miami soccer club and closely follows professional soccer in the United States and around the world.
Ian is keeping tabs on both international football and American football this weekend, and how they intersect in Los Angeles. Here is his overview of a big and complicated day in L.A. sports, with information you need to know.
Take it away, Ian:
— Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire editor
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10 Things You Need To Know About Saturday In L.A.
By Ian Hest, Special to Trojans Wire
This Saturday, Exposition Park will host not one but two major sporting events with USC and LAFC playing back to back. With so much traffic heading through the area, here are 10 things you need to know to navigate your way.
WHO IS PLAYING WHOM, AND WHERE?
The USC Trojans (7-1, 5-1) welcome the Cal Golden Bears (3-5, 1-4) at the Los Angeles Coliseum. In the MLS Cup Final, Western Conference champion LAFC will host the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Union at Bank of California Stadium.
GAME TIMES
USC kicks off at 7:30 p.m. local time in Los Angeles. LAFC kicks off at 1:05 p.m. local time.
WHY ARE BOTH TEAMS PLAYING SO CLOSE TOGETHER?
LAFC won the Supporters Shield as the team with the best record in the regular season in a tiebreaker over the Philadelphia Union. As the team with the better record, the Black and Gold earned the right to host the MLS Cup Final.
HOW IS PARKING GOING TO WORK?
Here is the big deal. Parking will be only for the USC game. There is NO parking for the LAFC match.
USC FOOTBALL PARKING
Standard gameday parking permits apply to all lots around the Los Angeles Coliseum.
WHAT DO LAFC FANS HAVE TO DO ON SATURDAY?
Fans heading to the MLS Cup Final are encouraged to take the Metro or ride shares to the match. Again, there is no parking for that game.
WHICH METRO LINE SHOULD FANS TAKE TO THE LAFC MATCH?
The Metro Expo Line at the Expo Park/USC or Expo/Vermont stations are the closest stops.
THE ROUTE TO THE LAFC MATCH AND THE L.A. COLISEUM
From the Expo Park/USC station, fans can walk directly out of the station through Exposition Park to find both stadiums. From Expo/Vermont, walk east along Exposition Boulevard before heading south on Vermont Avenue to arrive.
WHEN DOES THE LAFC MATCH END?
A typical soccer match lasts around two hours. However, since this is the final, if both teams are tied at the end of regulation, a 30-minute overtime will be played, followed by penalty kicks to decide the winner. If that happens, and including the championship celebration, fans leaving the LAFC game could be heading out around 4 p.m. or later.
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAMES ON TV
USC-Cal will be on ESPN.
LAFC-Philadelphia will be on Fox (English) and Univision (Spanish).
