Campeones Cup is almost here, and the stage is set for one of the biggest clashes in North American soccer. On Tuesday, October 1st, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, LA Galaxy will face Toluca FC in a final that has been billed as the true “Game Seven”. With three trophies for each league after six editions, Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX are tied—and this year’s match will finally break the deadlock.
On the eve of the decisive encounter, coaches and players from both sides shared their thoughts in press conferences, offering insight into the mindset of their teams ahead of a clash where pride, legacy, and league supremacy are on the line.
Antonio Mohamed: “It will be a very even match”
Toluca head coach Antonio Mohamed acknowledged the challenge of playing on the road but projected confidence:
“We believe LA Galaxy has great players. I don’t see advantages for either team. It will be a very even match. For us, of course, it will be tough because we’re playing away.”
He added that Toluca’s potential has not yet been fully unlocked: “Toluca hasn’t reached its ceiling yet, and I expect much more from this team.”
Hugo González: “These are the games that show who is better”
Toluca goalkeeper Hugo González emphasized the importance of the title:
“For us, it’s very important to win this title. It’s one of the objectives we set from the beginning of the season.”
And on the rivalry between leagues:
“There’s always talk about which league is better. MLS has progressed, we’ve all seen it. But we’ve also grown, and these are the games where you show who is better.”
Edwin Cerrillo: “Our biggest game of the season”
For LA Galaxy, midfielder Edwin Cerrillo underlined the magnitude of the moment:
“It’s another big opportunity to lift a trophy for this club. It’s our biggest game of the season. They are a good team, but we are a good team as well.”
He also pointed to the pride at stake: “There’s a trophy on the line and a Mexican opponent on the other side. It’s us vs. them. We play for pride, showing who has the bigger league. That’s the importance of this game.”
Greg Vanney: “This is part of the legacy”
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney spoke of the historic weight of the competition:
“This is a chance to put a trophy in the trophy case. It’s a legacy for these players. All of our attention is put in tomorrow.”
He also praised the growth of the event itself:
“The event is fantastic. Taking the champions of the two biggest leagues in our region and putting them in a final is something that should continue to grow. We need to have it.”
And finally, Vanney celebrated the uniqueness of international battles:
“I love these games against international opponents. A lot of these teams have quality across the field and individual savviness that you don’t always see in MLS. It feels different when you coach against these teams.”
A “Game Seven” With History at Stake
Since 2018, the Campeones Cup has crowned Tigres (2018, 2023) and Club América (2024) on the LIGA MX side, while Atlanta United (2019), Columbus Crew (2021), and New York City FC (2022) have represented MLS with victories. The 3–3 tie in titles sets the stage for this year’s historic decider.
On Tuesday night in Carson, it won’t just be about lifting a trophy. It will be about writing history for two leagues locked in a rivalry that continues to grow. And when the final whistle blows, one will finally pull ahead—because the Campeones Cup is truly a Game Seven.
