LEAGUES CUP
Leagues Cup quarter final line-up: which MLS teams are left?
With the defending champions Inter Miami eliminated, there will be a new winner this year. MLS teams have once again been a dominant force in the tournament.
A new name will be etched onto the Leagues Cup this year. With holders Inter Miami falling by the wayside, eliminated by the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on Tuesday night. Major League Soccer teams continue to dominate the tournament, many of them making the most of their home advantage.
Four Liga MX sides: Cruz Azul, Toluca, Pumas and Tigres said goodbye in the Round of 16, which leaves just two Mexican teams still in contention. Let’s take a look at how the quarter final matchups are shaping up. All of the quarter final ties will be played on Saturday 17 August with kick-off times staggered.
Columbus vs New York City
The team from the Big Apple reached the quarter-finals after beating Tigres 2-1, now they are one step away from the semi-finals and will seek to continue making history internationally. To advance, they must see off Columbus, who turned the tables on Inter Miami - a victory which will leave them brimming with self confidence.
The game takes place at Lower.com Field on Saturday 17 August kicking off at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
Philadelphia vs Mazatlán
Los Cañoneros have been the surprise package in the tournament, having reached this stage by eliminating DC United and Cruz Azul - the latter via a penalty shootout. This is the furthest they have reached in the Leagues Cup after being dumped out at the Round of 32 in their debut last year.
Now the Mexicans face Philadelphia - who finished third in last year’s edition and head into this year’s quarter final after beating Cincinnati 4-2.
The game takes place at Subaru Park on Saturday 17 August kicking off at 7.30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
América vs Colorado Rapids
Colorado had a rough ride against Toluca’s Diablos Rojos, who they just managed to beat with a tight 2-1 scoreline. Now they face another Liga MX side, América, who also suffered but ended up eliminating St. San Louis City with the game ending 4-2.
The game takes place at Lumen Field on Saturday 17 August kicking off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC
The team from the US capital are in high spirits, having eliminated and thrashed Pumas with a resounding 4-0 in the previous round. The Sounders will face Los Angeles FC, who thumped San José Earthquakes 4-1.
The game takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday 17 August kicking off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Looking further ahead and at how the bracket unfolds, the winners of Columbus vs New York City will face the winners of the quarter final between Philadelphia and Mazatlán, while the team that wins the tie between América and Colorado Rapids will face the winners of Seattle Sounders vs LAFC in the semi-finals.
It means that there is still a chance that Mexican teams could end up in both of the semi-finals - and possibly meet in the final. All of the Liga MXs hopes for a third title (Cruz Azul and Leon are the only Mexican clubs to have won the tournament) rest on Mazatlán and América .