Mount Pleasant FA set for historic Champions Cup debut against LA Galaxy

CARSON, USA – History will be made at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night when Mount Pleasant FA steps onto the pitch for the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against LA Galaxy, marking the Jamaican club’s inaugural appearance in the regional showpiece.

The St Ann-based side will become the first Jamaican club to make its tournament debut in the Round of 16, a feat achieved by virtue of winning the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup.

As they prepare to etch their names further into the history books, much will depend on the performance of key players like Kimoni Bailey to lead the charge against the MLS powerhouse.

The Galaxy booked their place in this round after a dramatic away-goals victory against Sporting San Miguelito, with the tie locked at 1-1 on aggregate.

Ghanaian attacker Joseph Paintsil delivered the decisive strike that propelled the MLS side forward, and he’ll be joined by fellow danger men Marcus Reus, goalkeeper Novak Mićović, and Jakob Glesnes as players Mount Pleasant must contain.

Wednesday’s encounter marks the first-ever meeting between Mount Pleasant FA and LA Galaxy in Concacaf competition. For the Galaxy, it will be their first experience facing a debuting club at this stage of the tournament.

Mount Pleasant’s achievement in reaching the Round of 16 as debutants places them in exclusive company, though the historical precedent for Jamaican clubs at this stage offers sobering reading.

They become the fourth Jamaican side to compete in this round, with none managing to progress. In the 2002–2003 season, Arnett Gardens FC fell 1-0 on aggregate to Club Necaxa.

In 2020, Portmore United FC suffered a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Cruz Azu, while in 2025, Cavalier FC were dispatched 4-0 on aggregate by Inter Miami CF.

The fixture also represents the fifth two-legged series between Jamaican clubs and MLS opposition, with American sides maintaining a perfect record to date.

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