“빅팀 잡았다” 도스 산토스 선언…손흥민 70분 침묵, 감독은 웃었다
LAFC Sneaks Past Toluca 1-0 in Leagues Cup: Son Heung-min Held Scoreless but Team Advances
The Big Picture
LAFC won a nail-biter! On August 9th (Korean time), LAFC beat Mexican side Toluca 1-0 at their home stadium—BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. This was their second game in the 2026 Leagues Cup (a tournament where MLS teams play against Liga MX teams from Mexico).
Important Point: The winning goal came in the very last minute of extra time—talk about a dramatic finish!
How the Game Went Down
1. Starting Lineup
LAFC fielded a strong attacking trio:
- Son Heung-min (our Korean superstar!)
- Denis Bouanga
- Christian Martinez
Midfield: Tillman, Schoenau, Delgado
Defense: Chevrefils, Tafari, Long, Hollingshead
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
2. First Half: Close but No Cigar
- Both teams struggled to create clear chances
- Best chance: In the 37th minute, Schoenau fired a long-range shot that hit the crossbar—so close!
3. Second Half: More Frustration
- LAFC kept pushing but couldn’t break through Toluca’s defense
- Son Heung-min subbed off in the 68th minute (played ~70 minutes)
- No goals, lots of tension…
4. The Moment of Magic
Stoppage time (90+ minutes). Toluca clears a ball with a header. Timothy Segura pounces on it from the edge of the penalty box and rifles a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
1-0 LAFC. Game over. Bedlam!
Son Heung-min’s Night
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | ~70 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Substituted | 68th minute (for Terry) |
Context: Son had been on fire lately—scoring in 4 straight MLS games after the World Cup. But in the Leagues Cup, he’s now gone 2 games without a goal. Even superstars have quiet nights!
What the Coach Said
Steve Cherundolo (LAFC Head Coach) was happy but honest:
"We created chances, which is positive. We beat a strong team. That matters."
On Segura’s winner:
"It’s a reward for his hard work. Sets a great example for the squad."
Tournament Standings: LAFC in the Driver’s Seat
| Game | Result | Points |
|---|---|---|
| vs. Guadalajara (Game 1) | Won on penalties | 2 |
| vs. Toluca (Game 2) | Won 1-0 | 3 |
| Total | 5 Points |
Why this matters:
- 18 MLS teams in the tournament
- Top 4 advance to the knockout quarterfinals
- With 5 points from 2 games, LAFC are in prime position!
What’s Next?
August 13th — Leagues Cup Phase 3 (Group Stage Finale)
Goal: Secure a top-4 spot and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals
Summary
- LAFC 1–0 Toluca (Leagues Cup Phase 2)
- Winner: Timothy Segura (stoppage-time stunner)
- Son Heung-min: Started, 70 mins, no goal/assist (snapped 4-game MLS scoring streak)
- LAFC now have 5 points — top 4 of 18 MLS teams advance; they’re well positioned
- Next match: August 13th — win and they’re likely into the quarterfinals!
FAQ
What is the Leagues Cup?
It’s an annual tournament where MLS teams (USA/Canada) play against Liga MX teams (Mexico). Think of it like a "Champions League" for North America.
Why did Son Heung-min get subbed off?
Coaches often rotate players to keep them fresh—especially with a big schedule. He played 70 minutes, which is standard for a star managing workload.
How do teams advance to the knockout stage?
There are 18 MLS teams. The top 4 in the standings after the group phase move on to the quarterfinals. LAFC’s 5 points puts them in a great spot.
Who is Timothy Segura?
He’s an LAFC midfielder who came up big! His late goal was his first in the tournament and the coach called it a "reward for hard work."
When is LAFC’s next game?
August 13th — the final group stage match (Phase 3). A win or draw likely seals their quarterfinal spot.
Go LAFC!