Preview: LA Galaxy Aim to Advance in Leagues Cup vs. Santos | OneFootball

The majority of the field is set for the next round of the 2025 Leagues Cup. The LA Galaxy not only have to win on Thursday night when they face Santos, but they also need to win big.

A victory of three goals or more should propel the reigning MLS Cup winners into the Knockout Stage of the Leagues Cup. The LA Galaxy didn't make it that far last year when they lost 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders.

For what has been a very trying and disappointing regular season in MLS for the Galaxy, they have played fairly better in Cup tournaments. A 4-1 victory over Herediano back in March thwarted the LA Galaxy from the Round of 16 to the quarterfinals.

A win of that margin would make the Los Angeles Galaxy the fourth and final spot from the MLS Group to move on from Phase One. Anything short ends their run, just like last year. Santos has already been eliminated from the League Cup regardless of Thursday night's result.

How to watch the LA Galaxy vs. Santos game?

Thursday night's third and final match in Phase One of the 2025 Leagues Cup is available on MLS Season Pass. It is also on both Apple TV and Apple TV+.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. (PT) and 10:15 p.m. (CT). The game is being played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Last season, the LA Galaxy benefited from going unbeaten in all 16 regular season games played there.

Having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs (as LAFC was eliminated in the MLS Western Conference Semifinals) helped the Los Angeles Galaxy not only make a tenth MLS Finals but win a sixth championship.

Gabriel Pec has scored in the last two games of Phase One for the LA Galaxy. Paintsil and Reus have also delivered in the early round of the tournament.

In order to for the LA Galaxy to advance, another strong showing from goalkeeper Novak Micovic is a must. Not only is win required, but one of which the six-time MLS Cup winners do so by three goals or more.