For all their struggles this year, the LA Galaxy<\/a> have a chance to add to their trophy case.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That\u2019s why Wednesday\u2019s Leagues Cup<\/a> quarterfinal clash against LIGA MX side CF Pachuca is so important for the defending MLS Cup champions (11:45 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cThis is our playoffs. This is our postseason in a way, even though I know we have more games after this,\u201d head coach Gregg Vanney told reporters before the Galaxy\u2019s potentially season-defining match at Dignity Health Sports Park.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is our chance to win a trophy in a meaningful event, get a [Concacaf] Champions [Cup] spot, all those things that come with it. This is it for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n After LA lifted a record sixth MLS Cup in 2024, expectations were sky-high heading into this season, even with a long-term knee injury to playmaker Riqui Puig<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, a 16-game winless streak to start the year put the Galaxy in a hole they likely won’t climb out of. With eight games remaining, they\u2019re last in the league standings and 16 points below the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs line in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n Vanney conceded as much by acknowledging LA are putting all their \u201ceggs in one basket\u201d in Leagues Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody in our locker room over there understands the importance of the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the importance for this particular group is to try to make some statement this season about its ability to win a big game and win in a big series like this, or a big tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n So far, the strategy has paid off.<\/p>\n The Galaxy went 2W-0L-1D in Phase One, posting blowout wins over Club Tijuana (5-2<\/a>) and Santos Laguna (4-0<\/a>) while scoring 10 goals.<\/p>\n Perhaps more importantly, they\u2019ve gotten standout performances from Designated Players Joseph Paintsil<\/a> (3g\/1a) and Gabriel Pec<\/a> (2g\/0a), as well as U22 Initiative striker Matheus Nascimento<\/a> (3g\/1a).<\/p>\n However, the stakes will be significantly higher on Wednesday against a Pachuca side that leads the LIGA MX Apertura standings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a pretty good sense of who they are, what they like to do, the qualities of their players, things like that,\u201d Vanney said of Los Tuzos.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 We think we have a pretty good sense of them, but you still have to adapt to the day and answer whatever the challenges are on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Only the best 4\ufe0f\u20e3 teams from each league remain in #LeaguesCup2025<\/a> ????<\/p>\n \u00bfQui\u00e9n levanta la copa y se proclama como el mejor de MLS y Liga MX? \u26bd\ufe0f????<\/p>\n The rivalry continues this Wednesday in the Quarterfinals. No te los pierdas con MLS Season Pass en Apple TV ???? pic.twitter.com\/jzKVe7W3DE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Regardless of the caliber of Wednesday\u2019s opponent, veteran midfielder Diego Fag\u00fandez<\/a> expects the Galaxy to play like their season depends on it.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow\u2019s a new game, it\u2019s a final for us. It\u2019s our playoffs, it\u2019s our year,\u201d Fag\u00fandez said. \u201cYou throw away everything that has happened before, and now we need to play for what\u2019s in front of us.”<\/p>\n Should they advance, the Galaxy would face either Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> or Club Puebla in the semifinals.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re only a couple of games away from lifting a trophy,” said Fag\u00fandez. “So I think that\u2019s what we need to focus on.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAll or nothing<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Tough Pachuca test<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Eyeing silverware<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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