This summer’s Leagues Cup has been bringing together the best teams from the United States, Mexico and Canada, with all MLS and LIGA MX teams involved in the tournament. This Saturday’s match-ups had a distinctive feature, in that all of the Matchday 7 fixtures pitted teams from the two leagues against each other - which had not happened since the start of the competition.
There were high-quality games, tension, and goals - but which of the two leagues had more reason to celebrate?
The evening began with a clash between **Cruz Azul** and **Atlanta United FC**,\\ where a spot in the knockout rounds was on the line. With the game tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, it was Cruz Azul** who came out on top by winning the penalty shoot-out 5-4. Having gone through to the Round of 32, they’ll be facing South 4 group winners Charlotte FC.
The North Carolina side would see off **Club Necaxa** 4-1 in regulation time to claim top spot in the South 4 pool. The result has left the Mexican side out of the competition, with the group runners-up FC Dallas now set for a tie against Mazatlán FC, while Charlotte FC take on Cruz Azul.
The third match of the evening saw **Club Santos Laguna** face **Orlando City SC**. The MLS team would win 3-2 in dramatic fashion, and finish first in the South 2 group - leaving the Mexican side out of the competition. As a result, Orlando City SC will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF in the Round of 32, while Houston Dynamo FC are due to play against Club Pachuca.
The next game decided the outcome of the South 1 group, as **FC Juárez** saw off **Austin FC** by a 3-1 scoreline. This means that the LIGA MX outfit will be taking on last year’s MLS Cup winners in Los Angeles Football Club.
The fifth and final fixture on Saturday featured **Pumas** and **D.C. United** in an East 2 decider. The Mexico City-based side would run out 3-0 winners to go top of the pool. In the next round, they will take on the runners-up of East 2 - which is due to be decided in this Sunday’s all-LIGA MX affair between Club Tijuana and Club Querétaro.
Overall, the first night of the final round of Leagues Cup group stage games saw three wins for LIGA MX and two for MLS. Across the competition so far, the Mexican teams have the slight advantage, at 12-10. Will they keep that lead or can the hosts turn it around?
