LAFC vs Querétaro: Keys to Winning Leagues Cup 2026 Opener
LAFC Hosts Querétaro in Must-Win Leagues Cup Showdown
What Is the Leagues Cup Anyway?
Think of the Leagues Cup like a big summer tournament where teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA/Canada play against teams from Liga MX in Mexico.
- 36 teams total compete
- The top 3 finishers earn spots in the Concacaf Champions Cup — the most prestigious club tournament in North America
- It’s like a "USA/Canada vs. Mexico" soccer party every summer!
IMPORTANT: This isn’t just a friendly — real trophies and Champions Cup spots are on the line.
The Situation: LAFC’s Path to the Quarterfinals
LAFC sits at 5 points after 2 games and needs one more win to reach 8 points — the magic number that could send them to the knockout rounds starting August 25.
How They Got Here
| Match | Result | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| vs. Chivas | Won on penalty shootout | 2 points |
| vs. Toluca | Won in regulation (90 mins) | 3 points |
Current standings reality: 6 teams are ahead of LAFC in the MLS table, so they need:
- Beat Querétaro on Saturday (3 points = 8 total)
- Other results around the league to go their way
The Toluca Miracle: How LAFC Stayed Alive
THE MOMENT: 90th minute vs. Toluca. Score tied. Season on the ropes.
Eddie Segura (a defender!) came off the bench, caught a loose ball at the top of the penalty area, and blasted a right-footed rocket into the net.
Watch the goal here
This wasn’t luck — LAFC leads ALL of MLS in goals scored from outside the box this season. Coach Marc Dos Santos calls it a "weapon":
"If an opponent defends deep, you shoot from distance. If they give you space behind, you attack that. You need different weapons."
Recent long-range hits:
- Stephen Eustáquio & Mark Delgado vs. Houston
- Matt Choiniere (TWO) vs. St. Louis
Meet the Opponent: Querétaro F.C. (Los Gallos Blancos)
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1950
- Nickname: Los Gallos Blancos (White Roosters)
- Home: Santiago de Querétaro, central Mexico
- League titles: 0 (but strong start this season!)
Their 2024 Season So Far
| Competition | Record | Notable Results |
|---|---|---|
| Liga MX Apertura | 2 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws | Beat Tigres 3-2, Beat Pachuca 2-1, Lost to Club América 0-1 |
| Leagues Cup | 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Goals | Lost 2-0 to Dallas, Lost 3-0 to Seattle |
Already eliminated from Leagues Cup advancement.
Players to Watch
| Player | Role | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Erik Dueñas | Midfielder | LAFC Academy product, 2022 MLS Cup champ, debuted at 15! |
| Diego Reyes | Defender | 33 yrs old, 60+ caps for Mexico National Team |
| Santiago Homenchenko | Midfielder | 22-yr-old Uruguayan rising star |
| Juan Martinez | Playmaker | Teen sensation, part of Mexico’s 2030 World Cup plans |
| Ali Ávila Vega | Forward | Team’s top Liga MX scorer (3 goals) |
| Guillermo Allison | Goalkeeper | 35-yr-old vet, ex-Cruz Azul, can steal a game |
Keys to the Game: Who Wins If…?
LAFC WINS IF…
- They treat it like a final — no looking ahead
- Score first — LAFC has best home-field advantage in MLS since 2018 because their attackers hunt the opening goal "like predators"
- Stay disciplined — Querétaro has nothing to lose and will play free
Coach Dos Santos: "The most important thing is to win the game. If you ask me if I want to win 1-0 or 5-0, you know my answer. But first focus: finish with 8 points."
QUERÉTARO WINS IF…
- They score first and make LAFC chase
- Guillermo Allison has the game of his life in goal
- LAFC overlooks them — dangerous when a team has "nothing to lose"
David Martínez (LAFC forward): "We don’t look at it as easy or difficult. We respect every team. We have to stay united and focused."
Step-by-Step: What Happens Saturday?
- Kickoff at BMO Stadium (LAFC’s fortress)
- LAFC needs a regulation win (3 points) → 8 points total
- Scoreboard watching — other Leagues Cup results must break right
- If all falls into place → LAFC reaches Quarterfinals (Aug 25+)
- Keep winning → Champions Cup berth + Leagues Cup trophy
Summary
- LAFC vs. Querétaro — Saturday at BMO Stadium
- LAFC needs a WIN (3 points) to hit 8 points and hope for Quarterfinals
- Querétaro is eliminated but has dangerous players (Dueñas, Reyes, Martinez)
- LAFC’s secret weapon: Long-range shooting (leads MLS)
- Home field = huge advantage — best in MLS since 2018
- Bigger picture: Top 3 in Leagues Cup = Concacaf Champions Cup ticket
FAQ
1. What happens if LAFC ties or loses?
They finish with 5 or 6 points — almost certainly not enough to advance. A regulation win is the only path.
2. Why does a penalty shootout win only give 2 points?
In Leagues Cup group stage: Regulation win = 3 pts, Shootout win = 2 pts, Shootout loss = 1 pt, Regulation loss = 0 pts. It encourages teams to win in 90 minutes.
3. Who is Erik Dueñas and why does he play for Querétaro?
LAFC Academy graduate, youngest player in club history (debuted at 15), 2022 MLS Cup winner. He was transferred to Querétaro for more playing time — now faces his former club!
4. What is the Concacaf Champions Cup?
Think of it as the Champions League of North/Central America & Caribbean. Winner goes to the FIFA Club World Cup vs. champions from Europe, South America, etc.
5. Can I watch the game?
Yes! Leagues Cup matches stream on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) — check local listings for Saturday’s kickoff time.
Final thought: This is win-or-go-home energy at BMO Stadium. LAFC controls their destiny for 90 minutes — then needs a little help from the soccer gods.