LAFC will host Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday night at BMO Stadium in the opening match of Leagues Cup 2026 for both clubs, and the timing gives the game immediate weight. It is also a meeting between two teams arriving with different recent form, even if both have reasons to believe they can make a statement in Phase One.
For LAFC, the headline player is Son Heung-Min, who scored in the 37th minute against the Vancouver Whitecaps and extended his scoring streak to four straight matches. LAFC drew 1-1 with Vancouver this past Saturday, and the result kept the Black & Gold unbeaten in MLS play since the World Cup break. That is a solid base to bring into a tournament opener, especially one that carries real qualification implications.
Leagues Cup 2026 features 36 teams, with 18 clubs from Liga MX and 18 qualifying clubs from Major League Soccer. Only four teams from each league advance from Phase One to the Quarterfinals, so early results matter more than they might in a longer format. The top three Leagues Cup finishers also qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, which adds another layer to every match in the opening stage.
Why Chivas arrives with questions
Chivas comes in after a mixed Apertura start and a semifinal exit in the previous Clausura. Just before the World Cup break, Chivas lost 4-3 on aggregate goals to Cruz Azul in the Clausura semifinals, a reminder that the club has been competitive but has not quite finished the job in the biggest moments.
The roster still includes players with major international pedigree. Roberto Alvarado played 428 total minutes and led all field players for Mexico during El Tri's run to the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Raúl Rangel was Mexico's first-choice goalkeeper throughout the tournament, and Luis Romo scored Mexico's matchwinner against South Korea in the group stage. Those names give Chivas a strong core even if the early club results have been uneven.
In Apertura play this season, Chivas lost to Toluca 2-0, beat FC Juarez 1-0, and drew Puebla 1-1. That line tells the story of a team still searching for rhythm. Against LAFC, the challenge will be sharper, because the MLS side has been more settled and is getting direct production from its top scorer at the right time.
What to watch in Los Angeles
The matchup brings together two clubs with recent history, current pressure and a clear path to the next round. LAFC has not lost since May 17, while Chivas is trying to turn a mixed opening stretch into something more stable. If Son Heung-Min keeps scoring, LAFC will like its chances of starting Phase One with a result that strengthens its position quickly.
That is the basic equation on Wednesday night: one club trying to extend form, the other trying to find it. In a short tournament structure, that can be the difference between advancing and going home early.
