LAFC begins its pursuit of the MLS Cup, opening the postseason race for the league championship. With the regular season concluding on October 18, the team finished third in the Western Conference to secure a playoff berth. A championship would mark Son Heung-min’s second major trophy this year, following his UEFA Europa League victory.
On October 19, LAFC announced its Round 1 playoff schedule. The club will face Austin FC, seeded sixth in the Western Conference, in a best-of-three series running from October 29 to November 8.
The MLS Cup Playoffs feature the top nine teams from each conference in a knockout format. The eighth- and ninth-seeded teams will meet in a wild-card match on October 22, followed by first-round games starting October 24. In the Eastern Conference, Chicago Fire FC—where Son made his MLS debut—will face Orlando City SC, while Portland Timbers take on Real Salt Lake in the West.
Each first-round series follows a best-of-three format: No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The top seed in each conference will face the wild-card winner. The second and third rounds will be single-elimination matches on November 22–23 and November 29–30, with the MLS Cup Final scheduled for December 6.
LAFC opens its first-round series at BMO Stadium on October 29 at 7:30 p.m., then travels to Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, for Game 2 on November 2 at 5:30 p.m. If a third game is required, it will take place on November 8 back at BMO Stadium, with kickoff time to be determined.
Although LAFC lost 1–0 to Austin FC in a regular-season match on October 12, both Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga missed that game due to FIFA A-match duty. With both players returning for the playoffs, LAFC is expected to field a stronger side.
If LAFC advances, it will face the winner between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC Dallas. A matchup against Vancouver could set up a high-profile meeting between Son and German striker Thomas Müller.
Another storyline to watch is a potential clash between Son and Lionel Messi, whose Inter Miami CF remains among the favorites for the title. Apple TV MLS analyst Dax McCarty, a former New York Red Bulls captain, described this postseason as “the last dance” for Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, who are expected to play their final season together. Both Busquets and Alba have announced plans to retire after this season.
Meanwhile, Son’s presence in Los Angeles continues to grow. Just three months after joining LAFC, he is not only leading the playoff push but has also been nominated for MLS Goal of the Year alongside Bouanga. The MLS unveiled 16 finalists on October 20, with fan voting open through October 24 at www.mlssoccer.com.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
