"Right now, my head is [focused] on Saturday. I told my guys we have to put a pause on this game [Champions Cup]. We need to relax as a group and get ready for Saturday. Of course, we have to think about having fresh legs on Tuesday [second leg], but we also need to think about the opportunity to win 12 out of 12 points in MLS."
"We are going to juggle these two things. Some guys have to go Saturday and Tuesday, for other guys, it's better that they rest because of their profile. Some are only going to play 45 minutes and then come off, because we'll think about Tuesday."
LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos faces the challenge of managing dual competitions early in the 2026 season. The team seeks a fourth consecutive MLS win against St Louis while preparing for a Champions Cup last 16 second leg against Alajuelense in Costa Rica. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, LAFC remains undefeated in MLS with three consecutive wins, placing them among the league's top performers. Dos Santos plans to rotate his squad strategically, with some players resting and others playing limited minutes to ensure fresh legs for the Champions Cup match while maintaining competitive performance in MLS.
Read at Soccer News
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