Meet the opponent: LAFC, Chivas’ first Leagues Cup 2026 test

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Club Deportivo Guadalajara

·3. August 2026

Meet the opponent: LAFC, Chivas’ first Leagues Cup 2026 test

The moment of making its debut in the 2026 Leagues Cup is getting closer, and Guadalajara will look to get off on the right foot when it faces Los Angeles FC on August 5 at BMO Stadium, in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.

Although it is one of the youngest clubs in MLS, LAFC has quickly established itself as one of the leading teams in American soccer, so it will represent a demanding test for the Rebaño Sagrado at the start of the international tournament.

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A young club that got used to competingLos Angeles Football Club made its Major League Soccer debut in 2018 and has since become one of the league’s most competitive franchises. It plays its home matches at BMO Stadium, a venue located in the heart of Los Angeles that will host Guadalajara’s Leagues Cup opener.

One detail connecting both institutions is that Carlos Vela, considered one of the biggest icons in LAFC history and now one of its owners, came through the Cantera Rojiblanca before going on to build a successful international career.

A rival with an impressive trophy caseDespite its short history, the Los Angeles side already boasts a notable list of honors:

1 MLS Cup title.
2 Supporters’ Shield titles.
1 U.S. Open Cup title.

Its main stars

The team coached by Marc Dos Santos combines international experience with top-level attacking talent. Among its standout players are:

Hugo Lloris, a World Cup champion with France at Russia 2018 and one of the most experienced and distinguished goalkeepers in the world.
Heung-Min Son, a historic figure for the South Korea national team and the Premier League, who leads the Americans’ attack and is one of the most dangerous weapons on the Los Angeles side.
Denis Bouanga, a forward with great pace and scoring ability, a key piece in the team’s attack.

A top-level challenge for the Rebaño

LAFC heads into the Leagues Cup as one of the best-performing teams in MLS in recent seasons, so Guadalajara will face a highly demanding opponent from its very first international match of the semester.

With the hope of starting with a win, the Rebaño will look to impose its style of play, confirm the progress shown under Gabriel Milito, and write the first chapter of a brand-new rivalry against the Los Angeles club.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.