The opening round of group-stage games highlighted some poor performances from Liga MX sides. Pumas' 3-2 loss to 10-men Austin, Tijuana's 3-0 humbling to LAFC and then Puebla's 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami. Things needed to improve and with the likes of Monterrey, Toluca, Cruz Azul and Tigres all opening their accounts on Matchday Two, it was time for things to get better for Mexican football fans.
Nine teams were in action midweek, but how many of them were able to grab their first wins of the competition?
Tuesday 30th July 2024
Atlético San Luís 2-3 Montreal Impact
Pachuca 1 (5)-(4) 1 New York Red Bulls
Monterrey 0-2 Austin
Minnesota 1-0 Necaxa
The first game of the round continued the ongoing theme for Mexican sides. Falling 2-0 down in the opening 30 minutes, things looked as bad as they could possibly get for San Luís. They were handed a lifeline 13 minutes before the end when Franck Boli scored from the spot, but Montreal restored their 2-goal advantage in the 83rd minute. Securing the three points, San Luís netted a consolation goal through another penalty, but this time it was Jurgen Damm who scored. Next up, in a must-win game is a Sunday night bout with Orlando City.
Pachuca opened their account with a win, but only via a penalty shootout. Los Tuzos scored all five of their spot kicks but needed to come from behind in the 90 minutes as Salomón Rondón scored on his return from Copa América duties with Venezuela.
Austin dominated in a group containing Monterrey and Pumas. They played an hour with 10-men against Pumas and managed to win 3-2 and two second-half goals were enough to get the better of Los Rayados. Now, the two Liga MX sides will battle for the second qualifying position to join the Texas club in the next round. The game will be at 20:00 on Saturday.
The final match of the night saw Necaxa lose 1-0 after conceding a penalty in the tenth minute. Robin Lod converted the spot kick but Minnesota were reduced to 10-men only 10 minutes later when Hugo Bacharach was given a straight red card. Despite the man advantage, they were unable to make it count. Now, Eduardo Fernandes' side must beat the Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening if they have any ambitions of reaching the round of 32.
Wednesday 31st July 2024
Tigres 2-1 Puebla
Charlotte FC 0 (4)-(2) 0 Cruz Azul
Nashville SC 0-2 Mazatlán
Santos Laguna 0-3 DC United
Dallas FC 0-2 Juárez
Tigres and Puebla met in the first all-Liga MX affair with the result confirming the fate of Puebla. Losing both of their first two games means that they will not be participating in the next round, whilst the win for Tigres means that they can finish top of the group, if they are able to beat reigning champions Inter Miami.
Cruz Azul entered the competition this week but could only be summoned to a penalty shootout loss. Mexican internationals Luís Romo and Carlos Rodríguez missed their spot kicks meaning that they must beat the Philadelphia Union on Sunday to qualify.
Mazatlán became the first Liga MX side to seal their qualification to the next round with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Nashville SC. A brace from Ramiro Arciga means that they have won more games (1) at the Leagues Cup than from their opening four games in the Liga MX Apertura (0).
Santos Laguna had a miserable Wednesday night after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat against DC United. Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke opened the scoring before Theodore Ku-DiPietro and Cristian Dajome confirmed the win for the Washington side. Santos must beat Atlanta United on Sunday if they are to join DC in the next phase of the tournament.
The final game of the night saw Juárez confirm they passage into the next round by beated Dallas FC. Goals came from Angel Zaldivar and Avilés Hurtado with the battle for top spot between Juárez and St Louis City to take place on Sunday.
Thursday 1st August 2024
Cincinnati 1 - 0 Querétaro
Toluca 3 - 1 Chicago Fire
Salt Lake City 2 - 1 Atlas
Querétaro were unable to make up for their penalty shootout defeat to NYCFC with a narrow defeat to Cincinnati. The only goal came from Yamil Asad as Los Gallos bow out of the competition at the group stages.
Toluca opened their campaign with a comfortable victory over the Chicago Fire. Marcel Ruiz has received interest from European sides and continued to show why with a brace as Jesús Angulo scored the other goal of the game. Toluca next face Sporting KC on Monday evening to fight for the top spot.
The last game of the matchday saw Atlas lose 2-1 to San Jose. Tied at 1-1, the game was decided by a long-range rocket from the second-half substitute Nelson Palacio. Now, the Guadalajara side must wait for the Monday night outcome between San Jose and Houston to see if they will be in the round of 32 draw or not.
Was this an improvement for Liga MX sides at the Leagues Cup, let us know what you think!