MLS 4-0 Liga MX

Since being relaunched in 2023, the Leagues Cup, a competition that brings together teams from Liga MX and MLS has seen, once again, all four Mexican sides fall short with the quartet of Liga MX teams all losing to rivals ‘north of the border’ on Wednesday night.

First it was Inter Miami, who without Lionel Messi defeated Tigres with the help of Javier Aquino, as the Mexican player committed two handballs inside the area that were awarded as as penalties. Veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez was on hand to slot both home to see the Herons advance to the semifinals.

Both Toluca and Puebla were eliminated on penalties with their respective matches against Orlando City and Seattle Sounders, ending 0-0 in regular time. Both MLS sides then prevailed after a penalty shootout.

Finally, the LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS champions, pulled off an upset against all odds and eliminated Pachuca. The team from Carson are struggling in the regular MLS season and were underdogs going into the game against ‘Los Tuzos’ but goals from Aceves (OG) and a Reus strike were enough to edge out Pachuca with a 2-1 win.

Mexican sides struggle in new format

For the 2025 edition of the Leagues Cup, the new competition format grouped all MLS and Liga MX teams into two groups, the Americans in sector A and the Mexicans in sector B. All had to go through the group stage and only the top four from each sector qualified for the quarterfinals.

MLS vs. Liga MX was the format followed in this second phase but the American teams delivered a clean sweep and for the third successive season since the Leagues Cup relaunch an MLS side will lift the trophy. It has to be remembered that MLS teams always have home advantage and this is also seen as a contributing factor to North American teams domination.

Semifinal matchups

Inter Miami were the first champions in 2023 with Columbus Crew crowned a year later. The semifinals of the 2025 edition will see the Herons face Orlando City in a Florida derby with the LA Galaxy up against Seattle Sounders. Both games will be staged on Wednesday, August 27.

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