The Leagues Cup 2025 gets underway on Tuesday with six exciting matches, marking the start of Phase One in the Concacaf-sanctioned competition uniting MLS and Liga MX clubs. This year’s tournament is particularly significant as teams vie for the prestigious title and three coveted slots in the upcoming 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The opening match will see Columbus Crew, the reigning champions, faced off against Toluca FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. This match is a rematch of their past encounters, including their quarterfinal clash in the 2010 Concacaf Champions Cup where Toluca edged out Columbus after two legs.
Columbus Crew enters the tournament riding high from their victorious 2024 campaign, which included a thrilling path to the title. They made it through strong performances, overcoming teams like Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami en route to their championship win against Los Angeles FC, finishing the final with a 3-1 scoreline.
Toluca FC, coming off a successful season as winners of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 and the Campeón de Campeones, is eager to advance beyond the Round of 16, a stage where they stumbled in the past two years. Their recent form shows promise, having topped their group in the previous edition.
Other matches on the first day include CF Montréal facing Club León at Stade Saputo, marking the first official match between these teams. Montreal seeks to build on previous Leagues Cup experiences, while León hopes to capitalize on their championship pedigree from 2021.
New York City FC will meet Club Puebla at Sports Illustrated Stadium, aiming to continue their progress from last year’s quarterfinals, whereas Puebla is determined to make it past the group stage for the first time.
Tigres UANL will clash with Houston Dynamo, both teams having recent history in this competition. Tigres aims to better their previous runner-up finish, while Houston is looking to make an impact after previous Round of 32 appearances.
Los Angeles FC will host Mazatlán FC, marking their first encounter, with LAFC seeking to bounce back after their runner-up finishing in the last tournament. Mazatlán FC is also looking to make waves after reaching the quarterfinals in 2024.
Lastly, Pachuca will meet San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium in what will be the inaugural Leagues Cup appearance for the new MLS team. Pachuca aims for their first advancement past the Round of 32 while making their third tournament entry.
With the fervor of international club competition, the Leagues Cup 2025 promises to deliver thrilling matchdays filled with excitement and a chance for teams to etch their names in history. The blend of seasoned teams and newcomers adds a layer of unpredictability that fans will surely appreciate.