Image Source: Los Angeles Football Club
LAFC vs Querétaro F.C. standings became the central storyline as Los Angeles Football Club prepared for a decisive Leagues Cup Phase One finale at BMO Stadium. LAFC entered the match with five points from its opening two games, keeping its Quarterfinal hopes alive but leaving little room for error.
The Black & Gold earned two points after defeating Chivas in a penalty shootout and collected three points with a regulation-time victory over Toluca. A win over Querétaro would lift LAFC to eight points, although advancement also depended on results elsewhere across the 36-team competition.
Critical LAFC vs Querétaro F.C. Standings Picture
Six teams stood above LAFC in the MLS table before the final Phase One matches were completed. Since only the top clubs advanced to the knockout rounds, the standings created a tense finish for Marc Dos Santos and his squad.
Goal differential was the leading tiebreaker, making every goal potentially significant. However, Dos Santos emphasized that LAFC’s immediate objective was straightforward: secure a victory before considering the wider tournament mathematics.
“The most important thing is to win the game,” Dos Santos told media members ahead of the match. He added that whether the score was 1-0 or 5-0, the first priority was to finish with eight points and then assess the other results.
LAFC Built Momentum Against Toluca
LAFC arrived at the Querétaro matchup with renewed confidence after a dramatic 1-0 win over Toluca. The result appeared unlikely deep into the contest, but second-half substitute Eddie Segura delivered a spectacular moment when he collected a loose ball near the top of the penalty area and fired a right-footed shot into the net.
Segura’s long-range strike continued a notable trend for LAFC. The club had established itself as one of Major League Soccer’s most dangerous teams from outside the box during league play, using distance shooting as an important weapon against opponents defending deep.
Dos Santos pointed to goals from players such as Steph Eustáquio, Mark Delgado, and Matt Choinière as examples of LAFC’s attacking variety. The team’s ability to combine wide attacks, runs behind the defense, and shots from distance could prove crucial in a must-win setting.
Querétaro Entered Under Pressure
Querétaro F.C., known to supporters as Los Gallos Blancos, had a difficult start to its Leagues Cup campaign. The Liga MX club lost 2-0 to Dallas and 3-0 to Seattle, leaving it without a point or a goal in the tournament and eliminating it from Quarterfinal contention.
That poor Leagues Cup record contrasted with Querétaro’s promising beginning in the Liga MX Apertura season. The club opened with a 2-1-0 record, including victories over Tigres and Pachuca, while suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Club América.
Querétaro’s roster also included a familiar face for LAFC supporters. Los Angeles native Erik Dueñas, an LAFC Academy product and 2022 MLS Cup champion, started in midfield against Seattle. Dueñas made his LAFC debut in 2020 at 15 years and 362 days old, becoming one of the youngest players to appear in an MLS match.
- Diego Reyes: Experienced defender with more than 60 Mexico caps.
- Santiago Homenchenko: Promising 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder.
- Juan Martinez: Teenage playmaker viewed as a player to watch for Mexico.
- Ali Ávila Vega: Querétaro’s leading Liga MX scorer with three goals.
- Guillermo Allison: Veteran goalkeeper capable of changing a match.
What LAFC Needed to Advance
LAFC needed to remain focused despite Querétaro’s difficult tournament form. Forward David Martínez warned against treating the contest as an easy assignment, stressing respect, unity, and concentration.
The Leagues Cup offered more than a Quarterfinal opportunity. The champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher would each earn a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, adding major regional significance to every knockout-round qualification battle.
The Quarterfinals were scheduled to begin on August 25. For LAFC, a strong home performance against Querétaro represented the clearest route to keeping its trophy ambitions alive. The standings remained complicated, but the message from the coaching staff was simple: win first, calculate afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points did LAFC have before facing Querétaro?
LAFC had five points after two Leagues Cup matches: two from a penalty-shootout win over Chivas and three from a regulation victory against Toluca.
What would a win over Querétaro give LAFC?
A victory would move LAFC to eight points and give the club a chance to reach the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals, depending on results elsewhere.
Was Querétaro still eligible for the Quarterfinals?
No. Querétaro had lost its first two matches and was eliminated from advancement before meeting LAFC.
Who is Erik Dueñas?
Erik Dueñas is a Los Angeles native and former LAFC Academy player who helped LAFC win the 2022 MLS Cup. He started for Querétaro against Seattle.
