By Justin Ruderman
Next up: the Leagues Cup semifinals!
LA Galaxy are headed to the Leagues Cup 2025 final four as captain Marco Reus led a 2-0 victory over Pachuca at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night, eliminating the last remaining Liga MX team from the tournament.
The hosts jumped on the front foot early, controlling possession and creating the majority of the chances. Los Tuzos tried to balance the game throughout the first half, but the momentum began to slip away when Daniel Aceves scored an own goal in the 27th minute off an LA corner kick, putting the Galaxy ahead 1-0.
Ten minutes later, the G’s capitalized on a counterattack. Joseph Paintsil picked up the ball in his own half, drove at the retreating Pachuca defense, and set up Matheus Nascimento in the penalty area for a cutback to the penalty spot, which Reus calmly finished.
LA Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović was called into action both before and after halftime to preserve the clean sheet, denying Pachuca opportunities to get back into the match despite increased pressure in the second half. In stoppage time, Los Tuzos managed an impressive consolation goal through Alemão.
With the win, the reigning MLS Cup champions secured their spot in the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals, where they will host Seattle Sounders FC next Wednesday. The winner will earn a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and a place in the tournament final, scheduled for August 31.
REACTIONS
- LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney:
- “I think the biggest thing in this tournament - we've been seeing this happen over the last couple of years - is I just think the balance between the two leagues is getting much closer... I think across the board, all of our teams can be competitive against their teams. Their teams are competitive against our teams.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
- LA Galaxy:
- Marco Reus: The captain was Galaxy’s winning goalscorer on the night while also pulling the strings in midfield.
- Pachuca:
- Alemão: Los Tuzos’ goalscorer gave the traveling Pachuca fans something to cheer about in stoppage time.
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy reach their first Leagues Cup semifinal since the inaugural 2019 edition.
- Pachuca are eliminated from Leagues Cup 2025.
- Marco Reus scored his second goal in four Leagues Cup 2025 matches.
- Matheus Nascimento provided his fifth goal contribution in four Leagues Cup 2025 matches.
- MLS teams won all four Leagues Cup quarterfinal matchups over their LIGA MX opponents.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- LA Galaxy: Edwin Cerrillo, Novak Mićović, Mauricio Cuevas
- Pachuca: Pedro Pedraza, Luis Rodriguez, Alemão
LOOKING AHEAD
- LA Galaxy will take on the Colorado Rapids in MLS play this weekend at DHSP before returning to host Seattle Sounders FC in the Leagues Cup semifinal next Wednesday.
- Pachuca continue their LIGA MX campaign at León on Saturday.