LAFC clinches MLS playoff berth after draw with Galaxy

Los Angeles FC clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs after a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy on Sunday, Oct. 25.

LAFC has reached the postseason for the eighth time in the franchise’s nine-year history.

Joseph Paintsil and the Galaxy built a 2-0 lead to start the game before LAFC was able to even the score. Paintsil scored in the 34th and 51st minutes of the match for the Galaxy. Denis Bouanga helped LAFC cut into the Galaxy’s lead with a goal in the 53rd minute of play. Leo Walta provided the equalizer in the 62nd minute.

Son Heung-min had a goal disallowed because of an offside call in the 29th minute of the first half. The goal would’ve provided LAFC with a chance to take the first lead in the game.

LAFC is now 12-9-11 (W-L-D) this season and currently sixth in the Western Conference standings after the tie.

LAFC have 47 points, and trail the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo by one point in the standings.

The Galaxy are ninth in the conference standings with a 10-11-11 record. The Galaxy have an opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs, as the ninth seed is the final wild-card spot in the conference.

LAFC vs. Galaxy highlights

Which teams have qualified for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs?

Eastern Conference

• Chicago Fire FC
• Inter Miami
• Nashville SC*
• New England Revolution

Western Conference

• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo FC
• Los Angeles FC
• San Jose Earthquakes
• St. Louis City SC
• Vancouver Whitecaps

*=clinched conference’s top playoff seed

What is the 2026 MLS playoff schedule?

• Nov. 18: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
• Nov. 20-Dec. 2: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
• Dec. 5-6: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
• Dec. 11-12: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
• Dec. 18: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LAFC clinches MLS playoff berth after draw with Galaxy