MATCH BY MATCH
TOLUCA vs. NEW YORK CITY FC (Yankee Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET)
The third round of the Leagues Cup kicks off with exciting and decisive matches, highlighted by Toluca’s visit to NYCFC, where a win could secure direct qualification for the choriceros. Toluca sits in fourth place with five points, and a victory would guarantee their spot in the next round. Contrastingly, New York City FC enters the match with a win and a loss, accumulating three points, making it essential for them to win to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
COLUMBUS vs. CLUB LEÓN (Lower.com Field, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Columbus Crew is set to face León at Lower.com Field in a pivotal game for the defending champions. León has already been eliminated after two losses, while Columbus holds four points from a win and a penalty loss. The Crew finds themselves in a surprising position but still in contention for the knockout stage. Their clear objective is to secure a win in regulation and maximize their goal tally, especially with León already out of the running.
CF MONTRÉAL vs. CLUB PUEBLA (Stade Saputo, 8 p.m. ET)
At Stade Saputo, both CF Montréal and Club Puebla are in desperate need of a win in regulation to advance to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup. As the only Canadian team in this year’s tournament, Montreal’s path to survival hinges solely on securing a victory in normal time. Puebla, while under less strict pressure, recognizes the importance of a win within 90 minutes to enhance their chances of advancing.
HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. PACHUCA FC (Shell Energy Stadium, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Pachuca FC will visit the Houston Dynamo with hopes of clinching crucial points to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup. The Tuzos need to adopt an aggressive strategy to overcome the goal difference, especially considering they face a Dynamo side with no chance of advancing. Balancing offense and defense will be vital, as any defensive mistake could jeopardize their chances.
MAZATLÁN vs. SAN DIEGO FC (Snapdragon Stadium, 10 p.m. ET)
The first phase of the new Leagues Cup format concludes with the historic matchup between San Diego FC and Mazatlán FC. This crucial fixture will determine whether the Liga MX team advances or if the MLS side secures their first victory in the competition. With a motivation boost after a 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo, Mazatlán sits in third place in the Liga MX table, holding five points and aiming to reach the knockout stage for the third consecutive edition.
TIGRES UANL vs. LOS ANGELES FC (BMO Stadium, 10 p.m. ET)
Tigres is looking to finish the first phase of the Leagues Cup with a perfect 3-0 record, aiming to enter the knockout stage as Liga MX’s top seed.
This series of matches highlights the competitiveness and intensity of the Leagues Cup, as teams battle for their spots in the next stage. Each team’s performance will significantly impact their future, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of soccer.