The Leagues Cup 2025 knockout stage continues with a compelling quarterfinal matchup as LA Galaxy hosts LIGA MX leaders C.F. Pachuca at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, August 20. The high-stakes match, scheduled for an 8:45 p.m. PT kickoff, will see two clubs with vastly different domestic fortunes battle for a coveted spot in the tournament’s semifinals and a step closer to securing a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
LA Galaxy enters the contest presenting a tale of two seasons. While the club has struggled mightily in Major League Soccer, currently sitting last in the Western Conference, their Leagues Cup campaign has been a resounding success. According to a matchday guide released by the club, the Galaxy finished the group stage with an unbeaten 2-0-1 record, scoring 10 goals and boasting a +7 goal differential, among the best in the tournament. Their momentum carried into the Round of 16, where they dispatched Santos Laguna with a dominant 4-0 victory. The team has also been formidable at home against Mexican opposition this year, holding an unbeaten 2-0-2 record in all competitions.
The Galaxy will field a potent attacking lineup, as confirmed in their official starting XI announcement. Captain Marco Reus will orchestrate the midfield, having registered an impressive 19 goal contributions (7 goals, 12 assists) in 35 appearances for the club. He is joined by in-form forwards Joseph Paintsil, who leads the team with nine goals across all competitions and has five goal contributions in his last five matches, and Gabriel Pec. Leading the line will be Brazilian youth international Matheus Nascimento, who is coming off a two-goal performance against Santos Laguna.
On the other side, C.F. Pachuca arrives in Carson with significant momentum from their domestic league. As reported by Mediotiempo, *Los Tuzos* currently sit atop the LIGA MX Apertura 2025 table. Despite a recent league loss to Tijuana, their overall form has been strong. Their journey in the Leagues Cup included group stage victories over San Diego FC and Houston Dynamo. This clash also carries a hint of history; as noted by Infobae, the two clubs met in the 2007 Superliga, where Pachuca emerged victorious in a penalty shootout.
The confirmed LA Galaxy lineup for the 4-3-3 formation is: Novak Mićović in goal; a defensive line of Mauricio Cuevas, Emiro Garcés, Zanka, and Julián Aude; a midfield trio of Edwin Cerrillo, Diego Fagundez, and Marco Reus; and an attacking front of Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Matheus Nascimento. Pachuca is expected to counter with a strong squad of their own, featuring key players like Víctor Guzmán and Oussama Idrissi, as they aim to assert the dominance they’ve shown in Mexico.
The winner of this classic MLS vs. LIGA MX showdown will advance to the semifinals to face the victor of the Inter Miami and Tigres UANL match. Fans can watch the game live exclusively on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. With both teams eager to claim a statement victory and continue their quest for silverware, the stage is set for a dramatic night of soccer in Southern California.
