Cruz Azul, Juarez and Charlotte punch Round of 32 tickets

MIAMI, Florida – Saturday night brought the end to five different groups in the 2023 Leagues Cup, including South Group 3 in which Cruz Azul defeated Atlanta United 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia to reach the Round of 32. The six-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners join Inter Miami as teams advancing from the group.

FC Juarez will also play in the knockout stage after posting a 3-1 victory over Austin FC at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas in South Group 1. The Liga MX side rallied from an early 1-0 deficit thanks in part to a brace from Aitor Garcia. First-place Mazatlan and FC Juarez each advance from the group.

In South Group 2 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, a 3-2 Orlando City SC win against Santos Laguna paved the way for both Orlando City and the Houston Dynamo to book their Round of 32 spots. Wilder Cartagena scored in the 90+2’ to earn Orlando City the victory.

Three first half goals helped power Charlotte FC to a 4-1 win versus Necaxa at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina in South Group 4, giving Charlotte FC first place in the group. FC Dallas are the other team to advance to the Round of 32 from the group.

East Group 2 came to an exciting conclusion with Pumas topping DC United 3-0 at Audi Field in Washington DC. With the win, Pumas claim top spot in the group, while DC United finish second.

The action continues on Sunday with six games, beginning in East Group 3 where Atlas and Toronto FC will square off at BMO Field in Toronto. Atlas only require a draw to win the group and advance, while Toronto FC need the full three points.

In East Group 4 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, the New York Red Bulls will welcome in Atletico San Luis. The Red Bulls sit on two points, while Atletico San Luis are searching for their first points of the tournament.

A pair of Liga MX sides will meet at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, with Queretaro and Club Tijuana facing off in East Group 1. With both teams on zero points, the side that either wins after 90 minutes or wins the penalty shootout after a draw will advance.

The action will then shift out west in West Group 3 in an all-MLS affair at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Either a win or a penalty shootout victory after a draw is required for either side to reach the Round of 32.

Monterrey and the Seattle Sounders will take the field at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington in West Group 2, with Seattle requiring a win to advance, while Rayados only need a point to win the group.

The night then closes with Tigres visiting the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park in San Jose, California in West Group 1. Tigres sit atop the group and only need a point to advance, while San Jose must win to have a chance of reaching the next phase.