The 2026 Leagues Cup first phase was settled this week, and now four Liga MX and four MLS teams remain in the quest for the cup. Here’s a recap of the action from the third round of matches and a look ahead to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, which will take place August 25th and 26th.
Club Leon Tops the Liga MX Table
Nobody predicted Club Leon to be the standout this tournament, but with a perfect record, three wins from three, the Esmeralda’s have a real chance of winning a trophy now after a 1-0 win over Nashville, 2-1 over Orlando, and 3-2 over a shorthanded Inter Miami. Leon’s last two Liga MX season finishes were 10th and 17th, but there’s renewed hope as 24-year-old Colombian attacking midfielder Daniel Arcila scored 4 goals in the Leagues Cup and has caught the attention of talent scouts.
Real Salt Lake, their quarterfinal opponent, lost on penalties against Tigres, but defeated Atlante and Juarez by a combined 7 goal margin, without conceding, and thus they are still alive in this tournament. US Men’s National Team contender Diego Luna has a pair of assists this Leagues Cup, while Argentine Pablo Ruiz has scored twice. It’s perhaps a surprise that one of these teams will be a Leagues Cup semifinalist.
Club America Set to Face Columbus
The Columbus Crew are a side with great continental pedigree in North American tournaments, they went perfect in the Leagues Cup, 3-1 over Atlas, 2-1 over Pachuca, and winning a penalty shootout over Pumas after a 1-1 regular time result to reach the quarterfinals. Brais Mendez has a pair of goals, the new signing who arrived from Real Sociedad in Spain, while goalkeeper Patrick Schulte has also been a standout.
Club America followed up a 3-1 home win against SDFC with a 3-1 win over Portland Timbers on the road, and despite losing to Austin on penalties, they secured enough points and goal differential margin to reach the elite 8. In the 2024 Campeones Cup, Club America defeated Columbus on penalties, and the club does have hosting rights (in the United States) for this matchup.
Toluca Seeks Another Trophy Against Austin FC
The Red Devils of Toluca have been one of the best Liga MX teams for multiple years now. A 3-1 win over FC Dallas (and a 3-0 home win over Seattle Sounders) were enough to ensure their passage into the quarterfinals. The new addition at striker, Federico Vinas the Uruguay international has already scored twice this Leagues Cup, while Mexico international Jesus Gallardo has also been excellent.
Austin FC ran up the score against Tijuana Xolos and Puebla without conceding to secure passage into the last eight, Myrto Uzuni had a had trick against Puebla. Against Club America in the final game, Uzuni scored again, and then the club won the penalty shootout after a 1-1 regular time result.
Toluca should be favored in the next phase.
Read More: Zlatan Said It Seven Years Ago. Júnior Alonso Is Saying It Again: MLS Needs More Pressure
Monterrey’s Hugo Cuypers Set to Face Old Team Chicago Fire
A goalscorer in all three of Monterrey Rayados first phase games, Striker Hugo Cuypers had propelled the club closer to a place in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, after Rayados poor leagues finish in Liga MX left them outside of that tournament.
Monterrey took advantage of the fact Inter Miami was shorthanded and had as 2-1 second half comeback on matchday 2, before a 2-1 comeback win over Nashville SC on matchday 3. Orbelin Pineda and Cuypers were the goalscorers, as Cuypers leaping volley in extra time kept Rayados in the tournament. A loss by Cruz Azul late against Chicago ensured they finished top 4 in the Liga MX table.
Chicago Fire sold Cuypers, at the time the top scorer in MLS, to Monterrey as Robert Lewandowski was brought in to lead the attack. The former Barcelona man and Polish international has been off to a strong start in MLS. Chicago defeated Necaxa 2-0, Santos Laguna 3-1, and Cruz Azul 2-1 with a late winner to secure passage into the last eight of the tournament. They also sit 8th on the overall MLS table after 17 games played.
Leagues Cup Quarterfinals Will be Played in the United States
All four Leagues Cup quarterfinals will be played in the United States. Leon will host Real Salt Lake in Colorado, Club America will host Columbus in Los Angeles, Toluca hosts Austin in New Jersey, and Chicago hosts Monterrey at their home stadium.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
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