Is MLS Still Inferior to Liga MX? Mexican Clubs Excel In Concacaf Round of 16 | OneFootball

The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup is heating up for MLS teams. The LAFC steamrolled Columbus Crew 3-0, making it clear they’re dead set on winning this thing. But other MLS squads? Not so lucky.

LA Galaxy stuck to their horror-movie script and lost to Herediano. FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, settled for a home draw against Tigres and now needs a miracle down in Mexico. Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps also ended up in stalemates against Liga MX powerhouses, proving the U.S.-Mexico rivalry is still a heavyweight battle, but MLS needs to do more.

California’s Monster Is on the Loose

If anyone was doubting LAFC’s firepower, they got their answer loud and clear. A 3-0 demolition of Columbus Crew, the reigning Leagues Cup champs, led by a masterclass from Denis Bouanga. The man torched the Columbus defense like a hot knife through butter, bagging two goals and making it clear that 2025 might just be his year. As if that wasn’t enough, Nathan Ordaz sealed the deal with the third goal.

The return leg is on the road, but with a cushion like this, it’s hard to picture LAFC slipping up. And on the other side of the bracket, Inter Miami already eased past Cavalier FC 2-0, potentially setting up a mouthwatering clash between Messi’s crew and the California juggernaut.

A Shadow of Its Former Self

While LAFC is soaring, LA Galaxy is sinking fast. Their MLS season started on the wrong foot, and now, in the Concacaf Champions Cup, they just suffered a 1-0 loss to Costa Rican side Herediano. And honestly, the scoreline doesn’t even do justice to how bad it was. Galaxy got bullied physically, lost every battle in the midfield, and spent most of the night hoping goalkeeper John McCarthy could keep things from turning into a full-blown disaster.

Coach Greg Vanney tried to put a positive spin on it, saying the team created chances and looked better than in recent MLS games. But let’s be real: no goals, no midfield presence, no clear identity, Galaxy looks more lost than a blind man in a shootout. Now what? They need to win the second leg, and not just win, they’ve got to prove they still belong in this conversation.

A Bad Omen in the Tigres Draw

That 1-1 draw against Tigres might look decent on paper. After all, Tigres is a Mexican giant, and Cincy didn’t lose. But there’s a catch. With the away-goal rule in play, Nicolás Ibáñez’s goal could be a dagger to Cincinnati’s hopes. Now they need to go to Monterrey and pull off an upset or at least a draw with goals. Easier said than done.

Draws That Might Actually Be Worth Something?

Seattle Sounders managed a 0-0 draw with Cruz Azul, which isn’t the worst result. But now they’ve got to go to Mexico and find a way to win. The problem? They missed some golden chances and even hit the woodwork twice. When you don’t finish the job at home, you usually pay the price on the road.

Vancouver Whitecaps, on the other hand, snagged a 1-1 draw with Monterrey, and this one might actually work in their favor. An away goal in the bag means they’ve already got one foot in the next round, if they can hold their ground in the second leg.

The MLS vs. Liga MX Battle Rages On

The Concacaf Champions Cup has always been a measuring stick for the never-ending battle between the U.S. and Mexico in soccer. And so far, Mexican teams are still a step ahead. LAFC might have put on a show, but Galaxy flopped, Cincinnati is in trouble, and Seattle and Vancouver haven’t exactly convinced anyone yet.

If MLS really wants to establish itself on the international stage, its teams need to stop being just extras in Concacaf tournaments. The money is there. The talent is there. But that killer instinct? That’s still missing. While American clubs treat this like just another tournament on the schedule, Mexican teams show up like their lives depend on it. That’s why they’ve owned this competition for decades.

The second-leg matches will be do-or-die. LAFC should move on. Inter Miami has everything in its favor. But the rest of MLS? They need to prove they’re more than just spectators. If not, we all know how this ends, another year, another Mexican club lifting the trophy.