Recap: LA Galaxy Stun the World and Win Against Pachuca | OneFootball

The Los Angeles Galaxy were the fourth and final match of the Knockout Round in the 2025 Leagues Cup on Wednesday Night. The three other teams from MLS (Inter Miami, Orlando City SC, and the Seattle Sounders) all advanced to the semifinals.

The 2024 MLS Cup Champions will be joining them as all four Mexican La Liga teams failed to win in the quarterfinals. It now becomes a battle of Florida on one side of the bracket and another rematch of last year's MLS Western Conference Finals.

Here's how th LA Galaxy pulled off the victory in what head coach Greg Vanney described to his team and the media as 'their playoffs.'

For once, the LA Galaxy weren't the ones recording an own goal.

Back in May, the Los Angeles Galaxy netted a pair of own goals in back-to-back games. Maya Yoshida did so in the 1-0 road loss against Sporting Kansas City. Fellow Japanese native and defensive teammate Miki Yamane did the same at the end of the match in the LA Galaxy's next game against the New York Red Bulls.

Recently, Julian Aude recorded an own goal to start things off against the Seattle Sounders two weeks ago. The LA Galaxy lost that match 4-0 at home.

On Wednesday night, it was the Galaxy's opponent who put the soccer ball in their own goal. In the 27th minute, Daniel Aceves of Pachuca had the ball ricochet off of him and past his own goalkeeper, Carlos Moreno.

How did the LA Galaxy end up with a 2-0 lead at halftime?

Ten minutes later, the reigning Player of the Month for the LA Galaxy, Marco Reus scored on a fast break. That gave his goalie, Novak Micovic, and his team a nice cushion heading into the second half.

Another 45 minutes of stellar defense from the LA Galaxy made this look like a potential shutout. That was until Alemão scored for Pachuca in stoppage time (90'+6').

Still, the six-time MLS Cup champions walked off the field after this match as winners. They will need that same energy and production if they are to avenge last year's loss in the Leagues Cup. The 3-1 loss to the Sounders nearly twelve months ago eliminated the LA Galaxy then.

Aug 20, 2025; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus (18) celebrates a goal with teammates LA Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagundez (7) and LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec (11) at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images | William Navarro-Imagn Images

What's next for the LA Galaxy in the Leagues Cup tournament?

Whoever wins in the semifinals goes on to face the winner of Inter Miami and Orlando City SC. The loser faces the team that didn't win in a third place match.

The two teams do battle next Wednesday in Carson, California. The LA Galaxy are now 3-0-1 in the 2025 Leagues Cup. Their only loss was after the 1-1 draw against Cruz Azul where the Los Angeles Galaxy lost in penalty kicks, 8-7.