The reigning Supporters’ Shield champions take on the defending MLS Cup champions for the first and only time this season.

Paintsil is equally ambitious, eyeing a Leagues Cup title run and a late-season surge into the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Galaxy, who've gone 2W-1L-2D in their last five MLS games, are 14 points below the postseason line with 10 matches remaining.

Lionel Messi suffered a minor muscle injury in his right leg during the game against Necaxa in the second round of the League Cup. He has been out of action since, but Inter Miami managed to win their subsequent matches. Ahead of their clash with LA Galaxy, Messi’s status remains uncertain—he may start playing, or he may be sidelined.

The Galaxy is having a season worth forgetting. Despite being less than a year removed from winning the MLS Cup, one of the league’s founding members had a horrific start to the season and, despite posting a decent showing in the Leagues Cup, is on its way to a disappointing result.

The LA Galaxy await another cross-border clash in Leagues Cup 2025, as they welcome Mexican powerhouse CF Pachuca for a quarterfinal showdown.

Get ready for a Leagues Cup clash as LA Galaxy faces Santos in group-stage play. Match preview, start time, and how to watch.

The Leagues Cup, first introduced in 2019, pits the best clubs from Major League Soccer against those from Mexico’s top professional league, Liga MX. It has led to some exciting action, as it gives each league the chance to earn bragging rights, along with the opportunity for clubs to take home a trophy.

The LA Galaxy still have a trophy to play for in 2025.

He was immediately substituted into the match after halftime. Messi, who suffered a right hamstring injury during a Leagues Cup tournament match on Aug. 2, returned to full participation in practice sessions this week.

Leagues Cup action returns on Thursday with an intriguing showdown, as the MLS side LA Galaxy takes on Liga MX team Santos Laguna.