By Favian Renkel
Charlotte FC concludes Phase One of the 2025 Leagues Cup on August 7, hosting Liga MX side CF Monterrey at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. With both teams already mathematically eliminated, the stakes are limited to pride.
HEAD TO HEAD
- 1st ever meeting
- Both teams have already been eliminated from this year's tournament
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Monterrey
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
- Looking for first regulation win in Leagues Cup since 2023 when they reached semifinals
- Charlotte
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
- Looking for their first win in Leagues Cup 2025
MAIN STORYLINES
- Even though Monterrey has a win in penalties this tournament, both sides are looking for their first win in regulation since 2023.
- Charlotte has lost three consecutive matches against Liga MX teams in Leagues Cup.
- Will Monterrey play Sergio Ramos and other big names from Monterrey be available.
- Keep an eye on the lineup cards before the match as both sides could rotate in some new players knowing they will both be in action again in the weekend.
KEY FACTORS
- Monterrey
- Sergio Canales has scored two goals this tournament, will he play or be given a rest day.
- Which young players will be given an opportunity to play and take advantage of the minutes.
- Can Monterrey take something positive out of this Leagues Cup tournament as they head back to the Apertura which they started with 6 points through 3 games.
- Charlotte
- Can Wilfried Zaha respond to some of the criticism he has received with a positive showing?
- Will Idan Toklomati play coming off a suspension and can he score yet again for Charlotte?
WHAT TO EXPECT
A match once circled as a high-stakes clash on Matchday 3 will instead close out the group with both sides searching for answers rather than advancement.
Expect both head coaches — Dean Smith for Charlotte and Domènec Torrent for Monterrey — to rotate their squads heavily. With each club returning to domestic league action shortly after the tournament, managing workloads is a clear priority. This fixture could serve as an opportunity for younger or fringe players to stake their claim and for coaching staffs to experiment with tactics and formations.
Charlotte will be without standout midfielder Pep Biel, who suffered a non-contact injury and will miss the remainder of the tournament. Superstar players such as Tim Ream, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and Wilfried Zaha are also likely to be rested — a trend already seen across Phase 1 finales, including LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo opting not to dress Denis Bouanga in a recent fixture.
While there are no knockout round implications, this match offers a window into each club’s depth and future direction. For fans watching closely, it’s a chance to catch glimpses of emerging talent and tactical shifts ahead of the final stretch of the regular season.
