Chivas stun LAFC in Leagues Cup 2026 opener at BMO Stadium

Los Angeles Football Club and Chivas de Guadalajara played the opening match of Leagues Cup 2026 on August 5, 2026, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The tournament brings together all 18 Liga MX clubs and 18 qualifying MLS teams in a 36-team competition. Only four teams from each league advance from Phase One to the Quarterfinals, with the top three finishers earning berths in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup—the most prestigious regional club trophy. The Leagues Cup champion advances directly to the Round of 16 of that competition.

LAFC entered the match as the favored side, ranked 10th in Leagues Cup Club Rankings and unbeaten in MLS play since May 17 (3W-0L-1D since the World Cup break). The team sat second in the Western Conference and fielded key attacking players including Son Heung-Min, who had scored in four straight matches and led MLS in assists with 10, and Denis Bouanga, who had 17 goal contributions this season. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris led MLS with 10 clean sheets in 16 appearances.

Chivas, ranked 21st in the Leagues Cup Club Rankings, came into the match seeking to end a one-year international win drought. The side finished second in the 2026 Clausura regular season but lost 4-3 on aggregate to Cruz Azul in the semifinals. In Apertura regular-season play, Chivas held a 1W-1L-1D record. Coach Gabriel Milito emphasized before the match that "we approach every match like it's a final, and the Leagues Cup will be no exception," noting that the team valued the tournament equally with Liga MX and the Concacaf Champions Cup. Forward Armando González and midfielder Roberto Alvarado, both fresh from Mexico's World Cup campaign, were key players, as was captain Luis Romo.

Under the 2026 format, tied matches proceeded to penalty shootouts, with the winner earning an extra point. The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET, 20:30 hours Mexico City time) and was broadcast live on Apple TV as well as radio stations 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, SiriusXM FC 157, KFWB 980 AM, and KYPA 1230 AM. Roberto Alvarado scored for Chivas during the first half, marking a significant moment in the opening fixture.