LAFC secured a place in the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs after a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy in the October 25 derby at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The home side recovered from a two-goal deficit, but its final Western Conference seed remains undecided. With 47 points from 32 matches, LAFC sit sixth, just one point behind fourth-placed San Jose Earthquakes and fifth-placed Houston Dynamo in the October 26 snapshot.
How LAFC came back in the derby
Joseph Paintsil scored twice for the Galaxy, in the 34th and 51st minutes, to put the visitors 2-0 ahead. Denis Bouanga started LAFC's comeback in the 53rd minute by finishing a rebound. Leo Walta made it 2-2 shortly afterward in the second half. Both clubs' official reports confirm all four goals, although they differ slightly in the recorded minute of the equalizer.
LAFC also had two goals ruled out for offside: a Son Heung-Min effort in the first half and a late Bouanga finish in stoppage time. Both clubs and MLS confirmed that the final score remained 2-2. Independent reporting by the Los Angeles Times also covered the comeback and the clinched playoff berth.
A clinched berth does not settle the final seed
MLS confirmed that LAFC are mathematically assured of a postseason place. That does not mean the club have secured fourth position, or that their eventual seed is fixed. As of October 26, the relevant Western Conference positions were:
| West position | Club | Points | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th | San Jose Earthquakes | 48 | 31 |
| 5th | Houston Dynamo | 48 | 31 |
| 6th | LAFC | 47 | 32 |
These figures draw on LAFC's update and the standings checked on October 26. LAFC have 12 wins, 11 draws and nine losses. They have two games left in a 34-match regular season, while San Jose and Houston have three apiece. The one-point gap therefore does not mean the top-four race is in LAFC's hands. Even winning both remaining matches would take LAFC to 53 points, and the two rivals could each still reach 57.
Why a top-four finish matters in the playoffs
The 2026 MLS rules distinguish making the postseason from securing a favorable playoff seed. Teams finishing first through seventh in each conference go straight into the best-of-three Round One series. The eighth- and ninth-placed teams must first contest a single-elimination Wild Card match.
In Round One, the fourth seed meets the fifth, while the third faces the sixth. The higher seed hosts the first game and, if required, the third. Moving from sixth to fourth would therefore change both LAFC's opponent and its potential home-field advantage. These are scenarios based on the final table, not matchups already confirmed for LAFC.
What remains to be settled in November
LAFC's next announced fixture is at home to Minnesota United on November 1. The regular season ends on Decision Day, November 7. The Wild Card round is scheduled for November 18, followed by the start of Round One on November 20. Until the standings are finalized, LAFC's playoff berth is confirmed, but its final position and postseason opponent remain open.
Sources and references
- LAFC: official recap of the 2-2 draw
- LA Galaxy: October 25 derby report and match details
- MLS: confirmation of LAFC's playoff berth
- MLS: 2026 season and playoff competition guidelines
- MLS: 2026 playoff schedule and format
- Plaintext Sports: 2026 MLS standings, accessed October 26
- Los Angeles Times: Greg Beacham's coverage of the derby
