America, Cruz Azul and Chivas leave the Leagues Cup by the back door
The victories of Toluca, Pachuca and Puebla ended the options of qualifying to the next phase of the Leagues Cup of America, Cruz Azul and Chivas
Although America, Cruz Azul and Chivas still have to play their third match in the Leagues Cup 2025 this Wednesday against Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids and Cincinnati, respectively, will only be a formality, since the victories of Toluca, Pachuca and Puebla left them out of the tournament in a hard blow for the so-called greats of Liga MX.
It is true that America would reach 6 points if they beat the Oregon team, but in the tiebreaker criteria with the three aforementioned teams, they are out of any possibility, since they would have only achieved one victory compared to the two of Diablos Rojos, Tuzos and Camoteros.
Without a doubt, a hard blow for Americanistas, Cruz Azulinos and Rojiblancos, who arrived with the label of favorites, but they will have to assume this international failure, because although America could leave the tournament without defeat, the fact of not being able to adding victories took them out of the way.
While in the case of Cruz Azul and Chivas the story was more dramatic, with the cementeros after the pathetic 7-0 with Seattle Sounders that put them against the wall, regardless of the fact that against the MLS champion, LA Galaxy, they added two points by winning on penalties (8-7) with an extraordinary series of eight shots.
In this way the history of the greats was not favorable, because in this case also Chivas left through the back door for having divided results against the New York teams, both the Red Bulls and NYC FC.
Toluca, Pachuca and Puebla did their homework
For now this Tuesday Toluca, Pachuca and Puebla did their homework by beating NYC FC, Houston Dynamo and Montreal FC, in that order, but that does not yet ensure their permanence in the next phase, especially in the case of Tuzos and Puebla, because if Pumas, FC Juarez and even Necaxa add victories they could leave the aforementioned teams out.
It is true that Tigres, Despite their 2-1 defeat to LAFC on Tuesday night, they still have a chance as long as Pumas, FC Juarez, and Necaxa fail to pick up wins, so they still have their chances.
For Toluca, the current Liga MX champions came from behind to beat NYC FC with goals from Jesús Angulo and Paulinho, while the New Yorkers had made themselves present through Alonso Martinez in the 10th minute of action.
For its part, Puebla also came from behind to beat Montreal FC with goals from Argentine Emiliano Gomez and Ricardo Marin, after the Canadian club had taken the lead through African Prince Owuso.
Finally, Pachuca defeated the Houston Dynamo with goals from Luis Quinones and Argentine Gaston Togni, while Amine Bassi scored from the penalty spot for the Texans. In turn, San Diego FC defeated Mazatlan 2-0 with goals from Finland's Onni Valakaria in the 66th and 74th minutes.
Thus, the teams eliminated from the 2025 Leagues Cup are America, Cruz Azul, Chivas, Queretaro, Atlas, Leon, San Luis, and Monterrey.

