Los Angeles FC head into the closing rounds of the MLS on a roll, riding five straight wins and still chasing the top of the Western Conference. The team already locked up a playoff spot, but they’re trying to turn that momentum into something bigger before the postseason kicks off. Waiting for them is Toronto FC. A team out of the race but oddly stuck in an eight-game run of draws. It’s the kind of matchup that puts consistency against unpredictability, West versus East, with plenty still at stake for one side.
With 56 points and only one loss in their last ten, LAFC have a chance at home to jump past Minnesota United and close the gap on San Diego and Vancouver Whitecaps. Toronto, meanwhile, sit near the bottom of the table with one of the league’s weakest attacks. Still, they’re playing for pride now, maybe even hoping to throw a wrench into the plans of clubs still fighting for something meaningful.
LAFC look to hold strong at home and manage key absences
That recent win over Atlanta United did more than keep the streak alive, it secured LAFC’s spot among the top four in the Western Conference and locked in home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. It also showed how balanced this team has become under Steve Cherundolo. LAFC haven’t conceded in over 250 minutes and have allowed just 16 shots on target across five matches. That’s not luck; that’s structure. With Hugo Lloris organizing from the back, the defense looks calm and assured, keeping control even when the pace of the game shifts.
The challenge now is up front. Denis Bouanga, who’s tied with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race with 24 goals, and Son Heung-Min, who’s scored eight times in nine matches since August, are both away on international duty. Their absence forces LAFC to rely more on movement and teamwork, spreading responsibility across the front line. The good news is history’s on their side: LAFC have beaten Toronto three times in the last four meetings, and they’re unbeaten in the two MLS matchups between them. That record gives the home crowd reason to believe.
Toronto aim to frustrate and extend their unbeaten run
Toronto travel with nothing to lose and that can be dangerous. They’ve drawn eight matches in a row, the longest streak in MLS history, built on a compact defense and a goalkeeper in top form. Sean Johnson has only let in 37 goals over 29 games, proving as steady as ever. Theo Corbeanu leads the team in goals, while Djordje Mihailovic and Jonathan Osorio handle the creative side. Since Mihailovic joined in August, he’s had a hand in five goals in eight appearances, injecting some life into a side that’s learned to make the most of what it has.
Winning in Los Angeles, though, is a tall order. Toronto have managed just five wins in 32 games this season and have never beaten LAFC in MLS play. For a team already eliminated, this is more about pride than points, but pride can be a motivator, and LAFC can’t afford to take them lightly.