Club América, Mazatlán wave flag for Liga MX in Leagues Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – The Round of 16 in the 2024 Leagues Cup saw the elimination of top teams like Cruz Azul, Tigres UANL, and reigning champions Inter Miami CF 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 last eight as the knockout stage continued this week, narrowing the contestants to six MLS teams and two Liga MX clubs.

As the knockout stage moves closer towards crowning a new champion, here’s a recap of the second round of elimination matches:

Sounders win rematch of 2022 CCC Final, Columbus-Miami deliver classic

The Round of 16 kicked off with a lone encounter on Monday in a rematch of the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup Final as Seattle Sounders FC hosted Pumas UNAM. The MLS side was victorious 4-nil with goals from Paul Rothrock, Albert Rusnák and a brace from Jordan Morris.

Two champions squared off as reigning MLS champions and 2024 CCC runners-up, Columbus Crew, hosted last year’s Leagues Cup winners Inter Miami CF. While Lionel Messi missed the tournament due to injury, the Florida club took the lead in Ohio with goals from Matías Rojas and Diego Gómez. Christian Ramírez began the Crew’s comeback as Diego Rossi added a brace, with one assist from Cucho Hernández. Luis Suárez was denied late as IMFC exited the tournament.

Philadelphia Union won 4-2 against MLS Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinnati. Tai Baribo scored twice for the Union alongside Mikael Uhre and Quinn Sullivan to offset goals from Pavel Bucha and DeAndre Yedlin for the hosts.

Tigres UANL lost 2-1 to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, in one of the surprises of the matchweek. Maxi Moralez and Santiago Rodríguez led a comeback win for the MLS outfit. Guido Pizarro scored the opening goal for the eight-time Liga MX champions.

Club América and Mazatlán, the lone Liga MX sides standing

Mazatlán FC and Cruz Azul faced off in an all-Liga MX encounter that ended in a 2-2 draw. The Sinaloa club took the lead with goals from Bryan Colula and Yoel Bárcenas. Cruz Azul fought back, despite going a man down, with goals from Uriel Antuna and Willer Ditta. Mazatlán goalkeeper Ricardo Gutiérrez made two stops in the shootout, and nearly a third as Giorgos Giakoumakis’ attempt went off the left post, in a 3-1 win on PKs.

Colorado Rapids defeated Toluca on a stoppage time goal from Darren Yapi. Rafael Navarro and traded goals in a match that looked to be headed for penalties, before the Rapids took the win in dramatic fashion.

Olivier Giroud made his LAFC debut in a 4-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. The match had already been decided by the time the Frenchman entered in the 71st minute with goals from Cristian Olivera, Mateusz Bogusz and a Denis Bouanga brace. Hernán López scored the lone goal for the visitors.

Club América survived elimination in a complicated encounter against St. Louis City SC, hosted by the Liga MX side at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Brian Rodríguez scored to place the Mexican club in the lead at the 15’, but the MLS side would take the lead after the halftime break. Eduard Löwen inspired the comeback with an assist to Indiana Vassilev in the 49’ and taking a penalty kick himself in the 55’, but the back-to-back Liga MX champions would respond in the final stretch. Diego Valdés scored in the 79’ to tie, Brian Rodríguez struck from the penalty spot in the 86’ to retake the lead, and Rodrigo Aguirre scored in the 90+8 to seal the victory.

Leagues Cup 2024 Quarterfinals Schedule

Saturday, August 17

6:00 p.m. ET: Columbus Crew vs New York City FC

Lower.com Field - Columbus, Ohio

7:30 p.m. ET: Philadelphia Union vs Mazatlan FC

Subaru Park – Chester, Pennsylvania

8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT): Seattle Sounders vs LAFC

Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington

10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT): Club América vs Colorado Rapids

Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, California