Los Angeles FC defeated Chivas in a penalty shootout on August 5, 2026, after the teams played to a 1-1 draw at BMO Stadium. The result gave LAFC two points and Chivas one point in their opening match of the Leagues Cup 2026 first phase.
The match marked the first official meeting between the two clubs. While Chivas enjoyed significant support in the stands, they were unable to secure a victory in regulation time, continuing a struggle in the tournament where they have recorded only one win in 90 minutes across their entire history. This lack of success has prevented the club from reaching the second phase, a result described as “inadmissible” for a club like Chivas.
Match Timeline: Bouanga and Alvarado Trade Goals
Chivas started the match aggressively, with Roberto Alvarado attempting a long-range shot in the second minute that was deflected by goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. However, LAFC took control of the pace as the match progressed. At the 19th minute, Denis Bouanga attempted to lift the ball in the area, but he could not beat goalkeeper Raúl Rangel. Bouanga threatened again at the 23rd minute following a poor exit by the Chivas defense.
In the 38th minute, a play initiated by the LAFC goalkeeper moved through Timothy Tillman and David Martínez, ending with an assist to Denis Bouanga, who scored the opening goal with his right foot. The goal is described as a great four-touch goal.
The lead was short-lived. Just four minutes later, in the 41st minute, Roberto Alvarado equalized for Chivas with a left-footed strike following a pass from Bryan González. This goal followed a great collective play.
Milenio noted that this was Alvarado’s third goal for the club.
The second half saw Chivas press for a lead, including a 70th-minute shot by Fernando Rubén González that hit the crossbar. The match remained deadlocked at 1-1 through 90 minutes.
Penalty Shootout and the Extra Point
Because the Leagues Cup regulations do not permit draws, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout to determine who would earn the extra point. The shootout was a volatile affair that eventually reached sudden death.
Initial Misses: Chivas’ Kevin Castañeda missed the first attempt, while LAFC’s Marc Delgado also failed to score.
Successful Conversions: Denis Bouanga, Ricardo Marín, Tyler Boyd, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutiérrez, and Mathieu Choiniere all converted their penalties.
The Deciding Moment: After Luis Rey scored for Guadalajara and Ryan Porteous scored for LAFC, the shootout entered sudden death. Luis Romo missed for Chivas, and Jude Terry scored the final penalty to secure the extra point.
This outcome leaves Chivas with a single point from the encounter, further complicating their history in a tournament where they have yet to reach the second phase.
Tournament Stakes and Group West 2 Standing
The match was part of the first phase of the Leagues Cup 2026, where teams are fighting for a spot in a general table divided by league. Only the four best-performing clubs from each league will advance to the knockout stage. For this edition, four matches will be held in Mexico, though LAFC will play all its matches at home during this round, while Chivas will play all its commitments in the United States.
For LAFC, the win reinforces their position as a dominant force in the MLS Western Conference, where they held second place with 34 points entering the match after 19 games. In their last five Leagues Cup games, they have only one defeat.
For Chivas, the result mirrors a period of inconsistency in the Apertura 2026 of Liga BBVA MX. After three matchdays, the club has recorded one victory, one draw, and one defeat. Prior to this match, Chivas had drawn 1-1 against Puebla in Liga MX, a result that highlighted a need to improve finishing in front of the goal.
| Team | Regulation Score | Penalty Result | Total Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAFC | 1 | Won | 2 |
| Chivas | 1 | Lost | 1 |
Upcoming Schedule for Chivas
The Guadalajara side must now recover quickly to improve their standing in Group West 2. Their next challenge is a trip to Texas to face FC Dallas this Saturday. Following that, they are scheduled to face the defending champions, the Seattle Sounders.
The inability to close out the match against LAFC highlights a recurring issue for Gabriel Milito’s squad. While the team showed collective growth and offensive pressure—hitting the woodwork and creating multiple chances—the failure of key players like Luis Romo and Kevin Castañeda in the shootout underscores a lack of clinical finishing that has plagued their recent international efforts.
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