Leagues Cup Phase One kicked off last night for LAFC, as the black & gold played host to Liga MX side, Mazatlán FC. Aside from the trophy at stake, there are three 2026 CONCACAF Champions League spots up for grabs, giving added motivation for teams to go out and take care of business. With a favorable matchup in the opener, and playing at home, the stage was set for Los Angeles to make a big statement to start the competition. Unfortunately for them, it was the visitors who came crashing the party in the heart of LA.
Final. pic.twitter.com/tfzh6RDPzZ
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 30, 2025
Coming off a disappointing draw at home against their bitter rivals, followed by a tough loss at home to Portland Timbers in back-to-back matches in the MLS, it was presumed LAFC would want to come into Leagues Cup looking to make a statement against a Liga MX side that, on paper, looked to be a real favorable matchup. Which made it all the more surprising that Head Coach Steve Cherundolo decided to trot out the reserve side to start the match. To his credit, David Martinez looked absolutely up for the occasion as the 19-year-old forward was all over the visitors early in proceedings. The team finished the first half with eight shots, three on target, and they all seemed to stem from Martinez.
The youngster came close to finding the opener on several occasions, thwarted by solid goalkeeping and narrow misses. Turns out, he was saving the opener for something truly audacious. In the 29th minute Martinez was served a wonderful pass that came from LAFC’s own half, sailing through the air to find the forward on the run. With two defenders all over him, and the opposing goalkeeper meeting him at the top of the box as the initial pass landed, Martinez took his first and only touch to perfection by simply chipping the ball over the keeper, watching as the ball nudged the post before settling into the back of the net, with what is sure to be a contender for goal of the tournament.
.@LeaguesCup te presentamos a David Martínez 😏 pic.twitter.com/LNYHbhSXBQ
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 30, 2025
His stare down celebration said it all, this was his night and he wasn’t stopping until he scored. Unfortunately for him, and the team, the old adage in soccer of ‘you’re always most vulnerable after a goal’ proved too true. Not even a minute later, once the action restarted, Mazatlán struck. In the 31st minute it was the visitors who caught the LAFC defense ball-watching as some solid passing opened up Fabio Gomes who, despite the angle, had plenty of time and space to smash it past David Ochoa for the equalizer, stunning the crowd into momentary silence.
¡No tardó el empate Cañonero! ⚽️
Fabio Gomes scores the equalizer for @MazatlanFc ante @LAFC y hay juego 💥
Watch it with #MLSSeasonPass on Apple TV 📺 https://t.co/CtWrVvcKXu pic.twitter.com/VIbN6HE8VL
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 30, 2025
The second half was far less exciting for Los Angeles, and nearly saw them flat-out lose this match with zero points in hand, as Mazatlán begin applying the pressure. Despite only five shots from the visitors in the second half, three of them were on target and very worrisome for the black & gold, who themselves had seven shots in the half, but only one on target. The match ended in a draw, but with how Leagues Cup format works, we can’t have draws, and with no extra time, it went straight to penalty shootout to determine a winner. For those unaware, in Leagues Cup a match that ends in a regulation draw sees both teams get a point, but the winner of the penalty shootout walks away with two points. In order to get the full three points, you need to win it in regulation. So while three was out the window, the chance was there for LAFC to at least come away with a pair of points on the night.
While it wasn’t the 2023 Leagues Cup insanity shootout that saw 19-rounds of penalty takes, we were treated to a show in the shootout. It took 12-rounds to find an eventual winner, but sadly, it wasn’t LAFC. In the end, needing to covert his second penalty of the shootout, it was Denis Bouanga who stepped up and sent his shot sailing over the goal, giving Mazatlán the upset win over Los Angeles on the night. While not ideal, there is some silver lining, as all MLS teams that played last night, failed to secure a win. While there is still plenty of matches to play tonight, the draw and point sees LAFC currently sitting in third place in the group, with the top four advancing to knockout stages. It now becomes an uphill battle, but all hope in advancing isn’t completely lost. That said, the team will need to play far better, and look much hungrier in their next outing as they remain at home, but take on a tougher opponent in Pachuca, this Friday night.
Thoughts on the Leagues Cup opening loss? Leave a comment below!
1 Comment
Coaching staff out of ideas and have relied on Bouanga for everything. LAFC have gone backwards since they won the championship. That falls on Thorington. Not sure what he’s thinking, but I don’t like what I see and haven’t for several years.
The head coach cannot win finals. Gareth Bale totally bailed them out. It’s a disaster.