LA Galaxy hosts Cruz Azul in an international club friendly on Sunday, October 4, with kickoff at 8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM PT) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. No U.S. television channel has been announced for the match, but the clubs have confirmed a free YouTube stream.
It is the second of two California friendlies for Cruz Azul during the October FIFA break, and a final tune-up for a Galaxy side chasing the MLS playoff line.
| Match | LA Galaxy vs Cruz Azul |
| Date | Sunday, October 4, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM PT) |
| Competition | International Club Friendly |
| U.S. TV | None announced |
| U.S. Stream | Free on YouTube (via the clubs’ official channels) |
| Venue | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California |
Where to Watch LA Galaxy vs Cruz Azul
U.S. viewing is confirmed and free, per the clubs: the Galaxy’s official live-stream page carries the match on YouTube, and Cruz Azul announced the game will also air live on its official YouTube, Facebook and TikTok channels. No U.S. television channel has been announced. Earlier unsourced reports naming Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) alongside Fox Deportes or TUDN never received a primary-source confirmation.
FutnSoccer will update this article if anything changes before kickoff. For the rest of the Liga MX calendar, see our complete Liga MX viewing guide.
Why This Friendly Matters
For Cruz Azul, Sunday closes a short U.S. tour built to keep the squad sharp while Liga MX pauses. La Maquina opened the trip with a 0-0 draw against Club America on October 1 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, a Clásico Joven decided by the goalkeepers. Joel Huiqui is using both games to evaluate depth while three regulars are away with national teams.
For the Galaxy, the stakes feel higher. Greg Vanney’s side sits eighth in the Western Conference with 36 points from 28 matches, level with Colorado but behind on the tiebreaker, with six regular season games left. Unbeaten in three after back-to-back 3-2 comeback wins, the Galaxy can use Sunday to protect momentum before league play resumes on October 11 at St. Louis.
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Cruz Azul is unbeaten in three but winless in the same stretch. The 0-0 with Club America followed a wild 3-3 draw with Toluca on September 26 in Liga MX Jornada 10, when Gabriel Fernández struck twice, including a stoppage-time equalizer at Estadio Banorte. Before that came a 1-0 league defeat at Monterrey on September 19 and a 2-0 loss to Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup on September 16. Through 10 rounds, Cruz Azul sits on 16 points.
The Galaxy arrive in better rhythm. A 3-2 comeback over the Colorado Rapids on September 26 followed a 3-2 comeback at Minnesota United on September 19, with a 1-1 home draw against the Seattle Sounders on September 12 before that.
Team News
Cruz Azul is without Kevin Mier (Colombia), Erik Lira and Jeremy Márquez (Mexico) during the international window. Andrés Gudiño started in goal in Mier’s absence in San Diego. Márquez left an El Tri training session with a back issue in late September, per TUDN reporter Adrián Esparza Oteo. Rodolfo Rotondi is out with a foot injury and will miss the entire FIFA window, per Esparza Oteo, while Amaury García remains a doubt.
Hirving Lozano’s availability is uncertain after a muscle problem kept him out of Mexico’s 3-0 friendly defeat to the USA on October 3, per TUDN. Sergi Roberto is back from injury, Riqui Puig has recently returned from a knee injury, and Marco Reus remains the veteran reference point in attack. The Galaxy also signed goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon, forward Daniel Ittycheria and academy products José ‘Pepe’ Magaña, Brett Phan and Mason Vanney to short-term agreements from Ventura County FC specifically for this friendly.
Head-To-Head
Sunday is the third meeting between the clubs in Southern California, per the Galaxy’s official announcement. Cruz Azul won the first, 2-1 in a friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 20, 2019. The second came in Leagues Cup in August 2025: a 1-1 draw in Carson before Cruz Azul advanced 8-7 in a marathon penalty shootout after Gabriel Pec’s 81st-minute equalizer for the Galaxy.
What to Watch
The central question is whether Cruz Azul’s rotated squad can find goals. The 0-0 in San Diego showed a side short of cutting edge without its internationals, though Gabriel Fernández’s brace against Toluca proves the finishing exists when the service arrives. Luka Romero and Agustín Palavecino were the liveliest creators against Club America.
For the Galaxy, watch the late-game engine: two consecutive 3-2 comeback wins is not an accident. With Lozano, Reus and Puig available, Vanney can rotate his attack without losing quality at home in Carson.
Prediction
Prediction: LA Galaxy 2-1 Cruz Azul. The hosts are unbeaten in three, playing at home and chasing the postseason, while Cruz Azul arrives with three internationals away and little to prove beyond rhythm.
FAQ
What time does LA Galaxy vs Cruz Azul kick off?
Sunday, October 4 at 8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM PT).
What channel is LA Galaxy vs Cruz Azul on?
No U.S. TV channel has been announced. The match streams free on YouTube via the clubs’ official channels.
Can I stream LA Galaxy vs Cruz Azul?
Yes, free on YouTube: the Galaxy’s official live-stream page carries the match’s YouTube stream, and Cruz Azul is also airing it on its official YouTube, Facebook and TikTok channels.
Will this article be updated with viewing information?
The stream is confirmed for this match. Check back before kickoff in case anything changes.
