Los Angeles FC vs CF Pachuca Prediction & Picks - Leagues Cup

Prediction published on 8/1/25, 6:42 PM  by Erik Gibbs in Leagues Cup Picks

Los Angeles FC welcome Liga MX powerhouse Pachuca to BMO Stadium on Friday night for a pivotal Leagues Cup Phase One clash. LAFC are looking to rebound after a frustrating start to the tournament earlier this week. On Tuesday, the Black-and-Gold were held to a 1-1 draw by Mazatlán FC at home and then fell 11-10 in an epic 12-round penalty shootout.

That result extended LAFC’s current winless run across all competitions to four matches, as Steve Cherundolo’s men have struggled to find their top gear in recent outings. In MLS play, LAFC had not won since mid-July, and their normally potent attack has misfired lately with just one goal in their last two games.

By contrast, C.F. Pachuca enter this match in red-hot form. The Tuzos have won four straight games in competitive action, a streak that includes a perfect 3-0-0 start to the Liga MX Apertura 2025 season. Pachuca opened their Leagues Cup campaign on Tuesday with a 3-2 victory over MLS newcomers San Diego FC. That shaky finish aside, manager Guillermo Almada’s squad has been prolific, sitting near the top of the Liga MX table after notable July wins like 3-0 over Monterrey and 3-2 over UNAM Pumas.

LAFC have only one point so far in Leagues Cup Phase One, making this essentially a must-win to keep alive hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. Pachuca, with three points already, can virtually assure progression with another win. History slightly favors LAFC at home – they have never lost a Leagues Cup match in regulation at BMO Stadium – but Pachuca boasts plenty of big-game experience.

The Mexican side were CONCACAF champions in 2022 and Club World Cup participants earlier this year, and they appear to have shaken off the disappointment of that global tournament. LAFC will need to tighten up defensively after conceding a soft equalizer to Mazatlán and will look to capitalize on Pachuca’s occasional defensive lapses.