LEAGUES CUP
2024 Leagues Cup semifinals: teams, games, dates, times, schedule
Club América were among the Mexican casualties in the quarterfinals as MLS continues its dominance over Liga MX in the competition.
The quarterfinals of the 2024 Leagues Cup took place on Wednesday, with MLS reaffirming its stranglehold on the competition against Liga MX opposition. All four semifinalists are from the United States and will compete this Wednesday (August 21) to reach the final, which will be played on Sunday, August 25.
2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal results
Despite conceding in the very first minute against New York City FC, Columbus Crew progressed to the last four after a penalty shootout victory at Lower.com Field. The 2023 MLS Cup winners will now take on Philadelphia Union, who also won from the spot against Mexican side Mazatlán, also after 1-1 draw.
On the other hand, LAFC had little trouble dealing with Seattle Sounders, with attacks Kei Kamara and Denis Bouanga among the goals as the Californians won 3-0 at Lumen Field. But another shootout was required in the fourth and last quarterfinal, and it was highly dramatic.
After a goalless at Dignity Health Sports Park, Colorado Rapids eliminated Liga MX giants Club América 9-8 on penalties, with Águilas goalkeeper Luis Malgón’s miss from 12 yards proving decisive.
2024 Leagues Cup semifinals
- Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union - Lower.com Field, Columbus - Wednesday, August 21, kickoff at 7:30 pm. ET
- LAFC vs Colorado Rapids - BMO Stadium, Los Angeles - Wednesday, August 21, kickoff at 10:00 pm ET.
In 2023, only one Liga MX team reached the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, although Monterrey then progressed to the last four, where they were eliminated by Nashville SC. This year, neither of the two Mexican clubs in the last eight have made it though to the semifinals.
Inter Miami memorably won last year’s Leagues Cup, with Lionel Messi making his debut for The Herons in the opening match of the competition. However, with the Argentina captain out injured, in 2024 they only got as far as the round of 16, where they lost to Columbus Crew.