LAFC halted Son Heung-min's scoring streak but secured a victory after a penalty shootout.

LAFC earned two points with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico) in the first round of the 2026 Leagues Cup. Regular time ended in a 1-1 draw.

LAFC Navigates a Grueling Schedule

Starting with this match, LAFC faces a string of games against Mexican clubs, playing Toluca on the 9th and Queretaro on the 13th. They then face San Diego FC on the 16th, Colorado on the 20th, and Portland on the 23rd, navigating a busy schedule with matches every three to four days.

Son Heung-min Up Top... Attack Triangle Activated

In this match, LAFC deployed Son Heung-min at the forefront, with Denis Bouanga and David Martinez on the flanks to form an attacking triangle. In the midfield, Timothy Tillman, Mark Delgado, and Mathieu Choiniere combined, while the backline consisted of Evgen Chaberko, Nkosikhona Tshabi, Ryan Porteous, and Ryan Hollingshead. Goalkeeper Thomas Hasal guarded the net.

39th-Minute Opener, Equalizer Three Minutes Later

Early in the match, LAFC struggled with their buildup under Chivas's intense high pressing. The pressure was so fierce that even Son Heung-min had to drop deep into the defensive zone to receive the ball.

Despite this flow, LAFC struck first. In the 39th minute, Bouanga latched onto a through cross from Martinez and scored the opening goal with a right-footed shot. However, just three minutes later, Chivas's Roberto Alvarado found the equalizer with a right-footed strike amid a goalmouth scramble, and the first half ended 1-1.

Son Heung-min Denied by Brilliant Free Kick Save... Match Decided by Penalties

The second half remained tightly contested. In the 7th minute, Martinez's shot following a flank breakthrough was denied by a brilliant save from the opposing goalkeeper, preventing LAFC from adding to their lead. As time went on, Chivas seized control of the match, while LAFC relied on counterattacks.

In the 29th minute, Jude Terry and Jacob Shaffelburg were brought on for Martinez and Tillman. Son Heung-min created a decisive chance once again on the day but failed to score. In the 30th minute, from a free kick earned near the penalty box, Son curled a right-footed shot toward the bottom left corner, but Mexican national team goalkeeper Raul Rangel threw his body to make a desperate save. Son was substituted for Tyler Boyd in the 41st minute.

With no additional goals in the 90 minutes of regular time and the score tied at 1-1, the two teams immediately entered a penalty shootout. Chivas's first kicker, Kevin Castaneda, missed the target, while LAFC's Bouanga converted cleanly to take the lead. Both second kickers scored successfully. LAFC's third kicker, Delgado, missed, allowing Chivas to catch up, but the fourth and fifth kickers both found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Hasal saved Chivas's sixth kicker Luis Romo's attempt, and LAFC's final kicker, Jude Terry, ripped the back of the net to put an end to the match.

Four-Game Scoring Streak Halts... But Form Remains Strong

Son Heung-min failed to record an offensive point in this match, bringing his four-game consecutive scoring streak in official matches to a halt. However, he had recently scored in four consecutive regular league matches against the LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, and Vancouver, and netted a multi-goal game in the MLS All-Star Match, demonstrating outstanding form. After completing the CONCACAF World Cup schedule and returning to his club, he received high praise from local media.