Leagues Cup Review: No Liga MX Representation in the Semi Final

The quarter final games highlight a key issue for Liga MX sides, which has witnessed even more penalty shootout heartache.

Prior to the Saturday night matches, Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna all crashed out of the tournament after losses from the spot. Fast forward to the quarter final, only Club América and Mazatlán remained in the Leagues Cup to wave the Mexican flag.

Philadelphia Union vs Mazatlán

The round started with Los Cañoneros' visit to Philadelphia to take on the Union. Proceedings seemed to favour the Sinaloa club when Tai Baribo was given two yellow cards within five minutes of being sent off before the time break. However, there was enough time for Mikael Uhre to give the home side a surprise lead before the interval. Mazatlán responded within 15 minutes of the second half through Jesús Escoboza, but they were unable to grab a winner before the full-time whistle.

Heading to a shootout to decide the semi final fate, Josue Colman missed the opening spot kick for the Liga MX side as the Union netted all of their first three. Alan Torres missed a second for Mazatlán but Samuel Adeniran had his effort denied by the post to give the Mexican club a lifeline. Despite the small sense of hope, Jesus Blanco scored the following penalty to send the Union through via the narrowest of margins.

Club América vs Colorado Rapids

Club América left it late to see off the challenge of St Louis City in the previous round but a goalless draw against the Rapid would see fans witness a second Liga MX shootout of the night.

Las Águilas had the advantage in the shootout as Rafael Navarro had his effort denied. One penalty away from a semi final, defender Igor Lichnovsky saw his shot saved by former Manchester City shot-stopper Zack Steffen. In the sudden deaf, both teams scored their next four efforts before América' keeper Luís Malagon was unable to convert.

América became the third straight Liga MX side to be knocked out of the competition by the Colorado club with Toluca and Juárez facing a similar fate.

The result means that both Liga MX sides crashed out of the 2024 Leagues Cup, confirming that the fourth winner will be an MLS team, following in the footsteps of Inter Miami who won the competition last summer.

Those four semi finalists are:

Columbus Crew
Philadelphia Union
LAFC United
Colorado Rapids

Who will win the 2024 Leagues Cup, let us know!