Monday evening’s action saw Columbus Crew ease past SC Club América 4-1 and claim top spot in the Central 1 group. Although they fell behind as the LIGA MX side opened the scoring through Kevin Álvarez, the MLS outfit were able to dust themselves off and turn the game around.
Just before half-time, on 41 minutes, Cucho Hernández would score the equalizer from an assist by Steven Moreira. In the second half, it was the Mexico City-based side who would push forward in search of the win, and carved out the clearest chances, but were unable to convert any of their opportunities.
On the 67-minute mark, the Colombian striker would score his second of the game from the penalty spot to put his team ahead. Ten minutes from time, Julian Gressel added to his impressive assist count, with Christian Ramírez this time finding the net to put the game beyond reach.
Steven Moreira would then seal the 4-1 result in the final seconds of the match. The Crew have finished top of the group, and will take on Minnesota United FC in the Round of 32. SC Club América, meanwhile, will face Chicago Fire FC. The other team in the group, St. Louis CITY, lost to both of their opponents and have been knocked out of the competition.
Despite a victory on penalties, La Franja were eliminated from the tournament. It was a competitive match on the final day of the group stage of the Leagues Cup 2023. Club Puebla and Chicago Fire drew 1-1 within the first 90 minutes. The goals were scored by Brayan Angulo (74') for the LIGA MX team and by Xherdan Shaquiri for the MLS side.
With this result, Chicago Fire secured the top spot in Group Central 2, and Club Puebla was eliminated. Nevertheless, the Mexicans bid farewell to the tournament with a victory in penalties, and that gave us a shootout of 22 kicks that ended with a 10-9 result in favor of Los Camoteros.
Now Chicago Fire FC will face Club América in the Round of 32.
**Toluca FC** ran out 4-1 winners over **Colorado Rapids** on Monday night, in what was the final group stage game of Leagues Cup 2023. Both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock early on, but it was the Mexican side who would find the breakthrough. Pedro Raul was the goalscorer, and was set up by Brian García. The momentum of the game remained in the LIGA MX side’s favor when the teams returned from the dressing room.
With fifteen minutes to go, Edgar López doubled his team’s lead from an assist by Jesús Piñuelas. Although Diego Rubio would pull one back for the MLS side, he was unable to spark a comeback. On 93 minutes, Jesús Ángulo would find the net to make it 3-1, before Valber Huerta added a fourth from the penalty spot.
The result means that Toluca FC have finished as group winners of Central 4, and will take on Sporting Kansas City in the Round of 32. The Colorado Rapids, meanwhile have finished bottom of the group and are knocked out of the competition.
In what turned out to be the final day of group stage action, a notable upset occurred as Chivas de Guadalajara faced Sporting Kansas City. Despite their position as the leaders in the overall standings of LIGA MX, Chivas couldn't withstand the challenge posed by the MLS team and unfortunately found themselves exiting the competition prematurely.
The match unfolded with Sporting Kansas City taking the lead, securing victory with a 1-0 scoreline. The pivotal goal came at the 27th-minute mark, courtesy of Johnny Russell's precise finishing. Chivas' defense struggled to contain the relentless attacks from their opponents, and despite their efforts to level the score, they were unable to find the back of the net.
