Puebla, LA Galaxy book final places in Quarterfinals | OneFootball

MIAMI – The Leagues Cup 2025 continued with five matches on Thursday as part of Phase One of the Concacaf-sanctioned competition between MLS and Liga MX clubs, as they battle for the crown and three spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Following the final round of matches, all eight Quarterfinalists have been determined. Toluca, Pachuca, Tigres UANL and Puebla are the top four Liga MX sides. Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, LA Galaxy and Orlando City qualified from the MLS participants.

FC Cincinnati 1-2 Chivas de Guadalajara

FC Cincy saw its hopes of qualifying slip away as Chivas rolled to a 2-1 win at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Former MLS player Efrain Álvarez scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in the 25’. Chivas extended their lead as they took advantage of a giveaway in 57’ and Armando González smashed home the goal.

The hosts were able to get on the board in the 67’ when Andrés Dávila tapped a cross just two minutes after being subbed in for a goal in his debut.

New York Red Bulls 1-1 (5-3) FC Juárez

The New York Red Bulls ended FC Juárez’s hopes of advancing with a penalty kick shootout win at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, USA.

Dylan Nealis got the opening goal for the MLS side as he bounced a free-kick header past the keeper in the 47’.

With their backs against the wall, Óscar Estupiñán gave the Mexican side hope when he rose up for a strong header. A win in the shootout would’ve been enough for FC Juárez to advance, but goalkeeper AJ Marcucci made a key save on Rodolfo Pizarro and the Red Bulls were perfect from the spot to finish it off.

CF Monterrey 0-2 Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC ended their tournament on a positive note with a shutout of CF Monterrey at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Bill Tuiloma opened the scoring as he flicked in a header in the 56’. The MLS side doubled up just moments later a nice counterattack as Tiger Smalls finished it off with a strong tap-in.

Cruz Azul 2-2 (5-4) Colorado Rapids

Despite both teams being eliminated, they finished with a hard-fought tilt that saw Cruz Azul prevail in a penalty kick shootout at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA.

The Rapids jumped out to an early lead as a bad clearance from Cruz Azul led to an easy Rafael Navarro goal in the 3’. They doubled their lead in the 41’ as Andreas Maxsø got at the end of a sensational free kick and knocked it home.

Cruz Azul cut into the deficit right before the break as Willer Ditta’s shot from outside the box bent past the keeper.

The Mexican side got the equalizer in style as Ignacio Rivero drilled a beautiful shot off a volley in the 78’.

Cruz Azul made all their kicks in the shootout as Oliver Larraz’s miss for the Rapids ended up being the difference.

Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0 Santos Laguna

The defending MLS Cup champs needed just two goals to advance, and they ended up getting four to punch their quarterfinals ticket at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA.

Joseph Painstil set the tone in the first minute finding the back of the net right from the start off a great feed from Mauricio Cuevas.

Cuevas then did it again, finding Matheus Nascimento with a beautiful cross in the 39’ to mark the second of the night.

Santos Laguna’s Anthony “Choco” Lozano received a red card right before the break to give the Galaxy even more of an advantage. And in the 45+5’, captain Maya Yoshida was at the doorstep to tuck home a rebound off the keeper.

Ramiro Sordo received a red card going into halftime, leaving Santos Laguna with nine men.

The Galaxy got the insurance goal in the 74’ when Lucas Sanabria’s shot deflected of Nascimento, giving him a brace for the night.

With the four goals, the Galaxy jumped Orlando City and finished in third place on the MLS side.