LAFC coach Mark dos Santos openly expressed frustration over the packed schedule. He judged that the squad's burden has reached its limit while juggling the Champions Cup and the league.
LAFC will play an MLS match of the 2026 season on the 3rd (Korean time) at an away game in San Diego. Just three days earlier they played the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals against Toluca, and they are pushing through the league schedule. After that they must move back to Mexico to play the second leg against Toluca on the 7th.
On the 1st, coach dos Santos expressed strong dissatisfaction with the scheduling to local media. He prefaced by saying, "We are unbeaten in the Champions Cup and face the second leg of the semifinals. This is by no means easy," then criticized, "The match schedule is a mess. It's ridiculous. I don't know who made this decision. It seems the MLS office doesn't want us to reach the final."
He went on to draw a comparison with Europe. Coach dos Santos said, "PSG sometimes postpones league matches when it has Champions League fixtures," and explained, "We have repeated Wednesday and Saturday matches for 10 weeks. Sometimes we even play early kickoffs." He added, "People think we are just playing games, but the reality is different," emphasizing the players' accumulated fatigue.
He ultimately said rotation is inevitable. Coach dos Santos said he will rest some regular starters to manage fitness in the San Diego match. He said, "We have to give all players rest and prepare for the Toluca match," effectively declaring a choose-and-focus approach.
In fact, LAFC showed strong form early in the season, but inconsistency has appeared under the scheduling burden. They recorded a 6-0 rout over Orlando City and continued their winning streak in the Champions Cup, but results wavered in matches where rotation was used. Their momentum has stalled, with no wins in the last four official matches.
Son Heung-min's availability is also a variable. MLS excluded Son Heung-min from the expected starting lineup for the San Diego match. Having rested in the recent away game at Minnesota, analysts say it is highly likely he will be given another rest to prepare for the second leg against Toluca.
Ultimately LAFC faces a choice in trying to capture both the league and the continental competition simultaneously. Coach dos Santos's public remarks are interpreted as revealing concerns about overall season management strategy beyond the scheduling issue.
[OSEN]