🔮 Previewing the dramatic final matchday in the Leagues Cup group stage | OneFootball

The final phase of the group stage in this summer's Leagues Cup is here and is there plenty to play for across all of the groups. Let's dig into how things might shake out.

Key games on matchday three

Jul 31, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tigres UANL defender Diego Reyes (13) celebrates his goal against Puebla in the second half at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

There is only one place to start when it comes to the must-watch games on the final matchday of the Leagues Cup group stage, and that's in Miami where Tata Martino's side will take on Liga MX big-boys Tigres for top spot in East Group 3.

We have a similar showdown in Philadelphia as another Mexican giant will look to turn around a poor start. Cruz Azul should have been the betting favorites to emerge from Group 4 in the east, but they head into a clash with Philadelphia in which a loss would mean elimination, and a win would mean topping the group. Plenty to play for!

Out west, everything is up for grabs in Group 2. After a late win in San Jose to kick off their tournament, the Galaxy will square off with Chivas in a star-studded affair that will decide the fate of the group. Like Cruz Azul before them, a loss would mean heading home, while collecting all three points would launch Fernando Gago's side to the summit and into the knockout rounds.

Finally, all eyes must be on West Group 8, where just three points separate Real Salt Lake at the top and Houston at the bottom. Those two MLS foes will square off and if the Dynamo beat Salt Lake on Monday night, all three teams in the group will all finish on three points. Then it comes down to tiebreakers starting with everybody's favorite: goal difference.

Player to watch on matchday three

Cade Cowell was pure box office in Chivas' opening night showdown with San Jose, and not always for the right reasons. The United States international is becoming the Adama Traore of North America, showing off a mixture of supreme power, pace, dribbling ability to create total havoc for opposition defenders, but the final product leaves plenty to be desired.

Against the Galaxy on Sunday, not only does Cowell have the opportunity to right the wrongs of last week's missed penalty against his old team, but he can potentially lead Chivas to the summit of West Group 2 to pull off an escape after the shock in Santa Clara.