The Leagues Cup 2023 round of 32 has been a nightmare for LIGA MX teams.
Over the two days of the knockout rounds, we’ve seen five matches that feature a Major League Soccer team vs. a LIGA MX team. The MLS clubs have won all of them. Club Pachuca, Cruz Azul, Atlas FC, FC Juarez, and Mazatlán FC were all eliminated. That’s on top of Chivas de Guadalajara, Santos Laguna, and Club Tijuana, who didn’t even make it out of the group stage.
Pumas was also eliminated, but they were knocked out by another LIGA MX club, Club Querétaro, in an intense match defined by Ángel Sepúlveda’s great goal.
The round of 32 ends this Friday and five more LIGA MX teams are left to fight for survival and represent the league: Club América, Club León, CF Monterrey, Club Toluca, and Club Tigres.
How they got to the knockout stages
Club América
The Eagles began with a resounding 4-0 win against St. Louis City SC, one of the best franchises in MLS today. But, in their next match, they suffered an historic 4-1 loss to Columbus Crew. They finished second in Group Central 1.
Club León
In their debut they drew 2-2 against the Vancouver Whitecaps and won in an extensive penalty shootout 16-15. Then, on the second day, they beat LA Galaxy 1-0. Los Esmeraldas advanced as first of the Group West 3.
Club Toluca
They looked great in the group stage. They were leaders of the Group Central 4 after beating Nashville SC 4-3 and Colorado Rapids 4-1.
CF Monterrey
Los Rayados won both matches against MLS clubs. They won 3-0 against Real Salt Lake and 4-2 against Seattle Sounders to qualify first in Group West 2.
Tigres
Another of the LIGA MX teams that advanced top of their group. They won Group West 1 by beating the Portland Timbers 2-1 and then beating San Jose Earthquake 1-0.
Who will the LIGA MX teams play against this Friday, August 4?
The Club León match was going to be played on Thursday the 3rd but had to be rescheduled due to weather issues:
Chicago Fire vs. America
Leon vs Real Salt Lake
Toluca vs. Sporting Kansas City
CF Monterrey vs. Portland Timbers
Tigres UANL vs. Vancouvers Whitecaps
Which are the LIGA MX teams that are still in the race in this Leagues Cup 2023?
As of now, only Querétaro has punched their ticket to the round of 16 after beating Pumas 1-0. They will play New England Revolution.
Which are the LIGA MX teams that have already been eliminated in this Leagues Cup 2023?
Puebla, Chivas, Santos Laguna, Necaxa, Tijuana and Atlético San Luis were eliminated in the group stage.
Pachuca, Atlas, Pumas, Mazatlán CF, Juárez and Cruz Azul were eliminated in the round of 32.
