LAFC2’s historic postseason run came to an end Sunday night with a 1-0 loss to Chattanooga FC in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN.
Making its first appearance in the league championship match, LAFC2 generated the majority of the attacking chances but was unable to overcome Damien Barker John’s first-half goal. The Black & Gold finished with 24 shots, six on target, and 13 corner kicks, while Chattanooga goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović made six saves to preserve the clean sheet.
LAFC2 started an eleven whose average age was 20.36 years old (including five teenagers) compared to Chattanooga’s average age of 25.9 (no teenagers). One of three independent clubs in the 30-team league, and the first to ever reach the final, Chattanooga broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Barker John received a pass from Anton Sorenson and scored from outside the box to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
LAFC2 pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half. Charlie Kosakoff forced a save shortly after the restart, while Tommy Mihalić and Jude Terry repeatedly tested the Chattanooga defense as the Black & Gold continued to create opportunities. Mihalić had efforts saved in the 64th and 73rd minutes, and Terry forced Jakupović into another save in the 86th.
The pressure intensified late, with LAFC2 earning a series of corners and creating several chances inside the final 10 minutes, including a bicycle-kick finish by striker Marius Aiyenero in the 86th minute that appeared to tie the match but was disallowed due to an offside offense. Chattanooga held on through stoppage time to secure the league title in front of its home fans, despite the Black & Gold's 24-13 advantage in shots taken.
Sunday's Cup Final capped the most successful season in LAFC2 history. After a sixth-place finish in the 14-team Western Conference, the Black & Gold went on to become the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final. First-year head coach Fabian Sandoval led his team to victories over three higher-seeded opponents on the road – advancing past Houston Dynamo 2 on penalties before earning consecutive 1-0 victories over No. 1 seed Austin FC II and SoCal rivals Ventura County FC. The latter victory gave LAFC2 the Western Conference championship and propelled LAFC2 into the first league final in its four-year history.
