The most important name at the final gateway to the final has come to the forefront again. Los Angeles FC is gambling with the Son Heung-min card amid the departure of key resources.
LAFC will face Toluca in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals of the 2026 season at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 30th (Korean time). The second leg continues with an away match in Mexico on the 7th.
This matchup is effectively final in character. No. 1-ranked Toluca and No. 2-ranked LAFC in the CONCACAF rankings collide. The tension peaked as Toluca, which achieved back-to-back Liga MX titles, faces LAFC, the first MLS club to reach the semifinals of the competition three times.
LAFC's form is not bad. They built momentum by defeating Cruz Azul 4-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. In particular, Hugo Lloris made eight saves in the second leg to shore up the defense, and the attack demonstrated firepower by scoring a competition-high 14 goals.
However, the variables are clear. The void left by Vela. The club's all-time top scorer and a key striker who has scored five goals in this tournament cannot play in the first leg due to yellow card accumulation. Eddie Segura, the defensive anchor, is also absent for the same reason. Two key figures in offense and defense are missing at the same time.
All eyes turn to Son Heung-min. LAFC signaled tactical changes through official channels. A new combination will be deployed to fill Vela's vacancy, and Son Heung-min's potential position shift was also mentioned. LAFC said Son Heung-min could move to the left. They noted he played as a left-sided attacker for Tottenham for a long time and scored more than 100 goals.
Son Heung-min's role has changed this season. In the league he has focused on playmaking and has not scored yet, but he has maintained his influence with six assists in eight MLS games and two goals and five assists in six Champions Cup matches. Especially as he is tied for the competition lead in assists, the question is whether he can take responsibility for finishing directly beyond a simple support role.
Toluca is no pushover either. Toluca, led by coach Antonio Mohamed, proved potent attacking power by routing LA Galaxy 7-2 in the quarterfinals. Paulinho, who leads scoring in the competition with six goals, is central.
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