Campeones Cup: LA Galaxy's Cup Hopes Dashed By Toluca

Written by Patrick Echatah

In Wednesday’s annual matchup between the MLS and LIGA MX champions, Toluca FC, the 2025 Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup winners, stunned the LA Galaxy 3-2 with a last-second victory at Dignity Health Sports Park.

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In the back-and-forth match, the Galaxy led twice but gave it up before giving up a decisive goal to Federico Pereira of Toluca just before the end of second-half stoppage time.

After a brilliant individual run behind the Toluca defence, Gabriel Pec drew a foul in the penalty area to set off LA’s first goal. Diego Fagúndez gave the home team a first-half lead with the subsequent penalty kick, which he executed flawlessly.

However, Toluca responded as Nicolás Castro equalised in the 53rd minute. From deep outside the box, the Argentine No. 8 set up his shot and put it just past diving LA goalie Novak Micovic’s outstretched hand.

That paved the way for a wild last ten minutes, which began with Paulinho, the standout forward for Toluca, having his goal disallowed after being judged offside by Video Review. Pec tucked home a potential winner on the other end, allowing the Galaxy to take advantage of the break almost instantly.

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That 2-1 lead was short-lived, though, as five minutes later Franco Romero scored another equaliser before Pereira’s close-range goal in the 94th minute gave the visitors the victory.

The league champions from the previous season treated a boisterous crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park to an exciting match that featured a bit of everything, including Toluca manager Antonio Mohamed being sent off at halftime.

The Galaxy’s sadness comes from the fact that their blown late lead cost them a title that would have provided a satisfying climax to a difficult 2025 campaign.

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