Club América, Columbus Crew wins highlight Leagues Cup Round of 32

MIAMI – The Round of 32 in the 2024 Leagues Cup showcased dramatic encounters as MLS and Liga MX clubs fight for this year’s trophy and the three spots at stake for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The field of 47 teams is down to the 16 as the knockout stage began this week, narrowing the contestants to 10 MLS teams and six Liga MX clubs.

As the knockout matches continue, here’s a recap of the first round of elimination matches:

League champions enter with wins, four bouts go to PKs

LAFC opened the final phase of the tournament with a 2-nil win over visiting Austin FC on Wednesday. Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera scored as summer signing, and potential League Cup debutant in the later rounds, Olivier Giroud looked on from the stands.

Pumas UNAM became the first Mexican team to seal its place among the last sixteen with a 2-nil victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Cesar Huerta and Jorge Ruvalcaba scored the goals.

Inter Miami and Toronto FC faced off in a seven-goal encounter to start Thursday’s proceedings. Jordi Alba set a new Leagues Cup single-game assist record by taking part in every Miami goal in the 4-3 win. Matías Rojas scored twice to complement goals from Luis Suárez and Diego Gómez for the home side. Lorenzo Insigne struck twice from the penalty spot for the Canadians.

Tigres UANL and CF Pachuca were nearly inseparable in a battle of top four teams in the Concacaf Club rankings. Marcelo Flores scored the lone goal in the 65’ to eliminate the defending Concacaf Champions Cup holders.

Seattle Sounders FC defeated LA Galaxy, 3-1, and San Jose Earthquakes won 5-nil against Club Necaxa to conclude Thursday’s slate. Jeremy Ebobisse scored twice for San Jose.

Ten matches made for a thrilling Friday night, where four encounters needed to be decided by a penalty shootout. The first of these being FC Cincinnati 6-5 on penalties over Santos Laguna after the two tied 1-1 in regular time.

Reigning MLS champions Columbus Crew entered the competition with a 4-nil victory over Sporting Kansas City. Diego Rossi, one of the selections to the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Best XI, scored twice to continue his good form.

Mazatlán FC defeated D.C. United, 2-1, behind goals from Yoel Bárcenas and Brian Rubio. Philadelphia Union took a 2-nil win over CF Montreal behind a brace from Tai Baribo.

Cruz Azul eliminated Orlando City on penalties. Both clubs played to a scoreless draw before the current Liga MX leaders won 5-4 in the shootout.

New England Revolution and New York City FC also needed penalties to decide a winner. The Revs won 7-6 in the spot kicks to resolve a 1-1 draw in regulation.

St. Louis City SC took advantage of home field in a 3-1 victory over Portland Timbers. Eduard Löwen provided the assists on the two goals that sealed the win.

Houston Dynamo FC and Toluca played a thrilling back-and-forth match that looked to be going the way of the MLS side, until Iván López struck in second half stoppage time to make it 2-2 and send the match to PKs. López struck the winning kick as Toluca advanced 5-4.

The Colorado Rapids held off a potential comeback from FC Juárez to move on with a 3-2 victory. Rafael Navarro had two assists in the encounter to build on a late goal in the previous encounter.

Reigning back-to-back Liga MX champions Club América started its 2024 campaign with a 2-1 win over Atlas. Érick Sánchez and Henry Martín scored for the Mexico City side to offset a goal from Rivaldo Lozano.