LAFC’s first Leagues Cup game against Chivas de Guadalajara turned into more than a marquee Los Angeles night: the Black & Gold took the extra point in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, August 5.

The result matters because Leagues Cup’s opening phase rewards shootout winners after tied matches. LAFC left with two points instead of one, and now gets a sharper measuring stick on Saturday, August 8, when it faces Toluca, the 2025 Liga MX champion.

The matchup also had a broader audience signal. Google Trends listed “LAFC - Guadalajara” as an active United States search trend over the past 24 hours, and Threads search showed same-day posts from fans following the match in Los Angeles.

What changed

Denis Bouanga gave LAFC the lead in the 38th minute, finishing a David Martínez pass across goal. Chivas answered before halftime through Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado, who finished off a Bryan González through ball to make the match 1-1.

Chivas had the better chances for stretches after halftime, including a Fernando González shot off the woodwork and an Alvarado header stopped late by LAFC goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. Son Heung-min nearly won it for LAFC in the 80th minute, but Chivas keeper Raúl Rangel pushed away his free kick.

The shootout stayed level into sudden death. Hasal saved Luis Romo’s attempt, and 17-year-old LAFC homegrown midfielder Jude Terry converted the deciding kick into the upper-right corner for a 5-4 shootout win.

Why Bouanga’s goal matters

Bouanga’s regulation goal was not just the opening score. MLS reported that it moved him into a tie with Lionel Messi atop the all-time Leagues Cup scoring list with 14 goals in the competition.

That makes LAFC’s next match more than a standings check. Bouanga has been one of the tournament’s most reliable scorers, and LAFC will need that form against Toluca after a game in which Chivas forced the hosts to spend long stretches defending pressure.

Head coach Marc Dos Santos also framed the atmosphere as part of the test, pointing to the Chivas support in the stadium and the number of World Cup-level players on the Mexican side, according to MLS and Leagues Cup accounts of his post-match remarks.

Why the extra point matters

For casual viewers, the odd part of the night is that the draw was not really over at 90 minutes. Leagues Cup uses penalties to award an extra point after tied opening-phase games, so Hasal’s save and Terry’s kick changed LAFC’s table position without changing the official regulation scoreline.

That format makes every late chance heavier. Chivas could not turn second-half pressure into a regulation winner, and LAFC avoided the cost of letting a home opener drift into a one-point result.

What comes next

LAFC plays Toluca on Saturday, August 8. Chivas also returns that day against FC Dallas, according to the Leagues Cup match recap.

For LAFC, the practical takeaway is simple: the shootout win bought breathing room, but it did not erase the warning signs. Chivas created enough danger to make the opener feel like a stress test, and Toluca should reveal whether LAFC’s post-World Cup form can hold against one of Liga MX’s strongest sides.