After two rounds of the 2026 Leagues Cup initial phase, there are 16 MLS sides still mathematically in competition for their four quarterfinalist positions, and 8 sides from Liga MX who could reach the last four on the Mexican side. With one more round of play remaining, we take a look at the possible scenarios regarding quarterfinal qualification for this competition that grants positions in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Playing with Home Advantage, MLS Sides Outperform in Leagues Cup
One look at the Leagues Cup standings makes it clear which league currently has outperformed, it’s MLS. Six MLS teams have gone a perfect 2-0-0 against Liga MX competition thus far, though none of those sides had to play games in Mexico. With only 2 MLS sides of the 18 that participated, winless through two games, qualification is mathematically possible for 16 teams.
Vancouver and Minnesota were eliminated, the six teams with the clearest path to qualification are Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and FC Dallas. These teams have won all of their matches to this point, without needing penalties, and both Austin and Charlotte hold a +5 goal differential having not conceded a goal in either game.
Charlotte faces an already eliminated Pachuca on Tuesday, while Austin has a tough clash with Club America, a Liga MX side with ambitions to reach the last eight. Austin’s Myrto Uzuni leads the Leagues Cup with three goals.
Chicago Fire have their own challenge against Cruz Azul, while Cincinnati faces an eliminated Atlas, and FC Dallas, fresh off a win over Chivas that eliminated the legendary Mexican team, will take on Toluca in another difficult contest.
LAFC with five points after two games, having defeated Toluca, and won against Chivas on penalties, will need to win by some margin against Queretaro and hope for help in the final game.
Tijuana Xolos manager Sebastian “Loco” Abreu pointed out this week that MLS Clubs have an inherent advantage not having to travel from city to city every 3 days, and he believes that significantly alters the balance of the competition.
“We have to travel and those here are in their little house, eating their food, with their family, their children, at ease, they arrive and put on a series, tomorrow they wake up calmly, they have breakfast, they come from training. While we are in hell, as are all the teams in Liga MX,”
FC Juarez and Club Leon Impress in Leagues Cup
Two of the four teams in the top 4 of the LIGA MX standings are domestic heavyweights. Club America and Cruz Azul have consistently been two of Mexico’s greatest teams over the last half decade, but FC Juarez and Club Leon haven’t achieved those same marks consistently, and thus the opportunity to shine in Leagues Cup is impressive.
Juarez scored two first half goals to defeat Minnesota United and followed that up with a pair of second half goals for a 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps in an upset at BC Place where they were outshot 19 to 6. A game against Real Salt Lake looms next, and three points would ensure qualification. 29-year-old Colombian Oscar Estupinan has scored in both matches.
Club Leon scored impressive wins over Orlando and Nashville, 24-year-old Daniel Arcila, another Colombian, has scored in both matches and has been a solid addition to their squad since joining in 2025. Next for Leon is a match against Inter Miami in Miami, though the Herons will be without Lionel Messi due to the death of his father.
Club America Brings Large Crowds to Leagues Cup
Club America is bringing massive crowds to their Leagues Cup games, they scored a comfortable win in Mexico City over San Diego FC, then defeated Portland 3-1. The match with Austin FC is next and it’s a heavyweight clash, as they should again be able to cover Austin’s stadium in yellow and blue.
This tournament represents an opportunity for new manager Guillermo Almada to build confidence in the squad which remains one of the most valuable in Liga MX, even though they haven’t made a huge splash in the transfer market this window.
Cruz Azul and Tigres are the other teams with a high chance at qualification, while Toluca, Monterrey, and Atalante need help with just 3 points. Tigres has 4 points under their interim manager Hernan Elizond after winning a pair of penalty shootouts in low scoring games against Minnesota and Salt Lake. Cruz Azul, who faces Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup in September, has wins over Philadelphia and NYCFC, they continue to carry the banner for Mexican football on the continent.
Main Photo Credit: smartframe images
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