By Victor Araiza
One team will leave with its first victory of Leagues Cup 2025 when Chivas de Guadalajara meets Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- First-ever meeting
- Record at Leagues Cup: Guadalajara (0-5), Charlotte FC (5-4)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Chivas de Guadalajara:
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
- Charlotte FC
- 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss
MAIN STORYLINES
- How will Chivas respond after losing its opening encounter in the final seconds?
- Will Alan Pulido end a scoring drought that dates back to February?
- How will Charlotte FC react following a lopsided defeat at home?
- Will Wilfried Zaha find the back of the net for his first Leagues Cup goal?
- Which fanbase will dominate the stands when one of the most popular Liga MX teams visits one of the best attended stadiums in MLS?
KEY FACTORS:
- Chivas de Guadalajara:
* Veterans Alan Pulido, Roberto Alvarado, Erick Gutiérrez, Luis Romo, and Alan Mozo will be looked to for experience and leadership
* Raúl Rangel will be looked to have a good showing as one of Mexico’s national team goalkeepers and hopefuls for next year’s FIFA World Cup
* MLS pipeline: Chivas features previous MLS homegrowns in Cade Cowell, Efraín Álvarez, Richard Ledezma, and Daniel Aguirre.
* Charlotte FC:
* Pep Biel leads the team in goals (10) and assists (12) across all competitions this season.
* Defenders Adilson Malanda and Souleyman Doumbia among injuries.
* Idan Toklomati, who scored against FC Juárez, will serve a one-match suspension due to a red card in the previous match.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
After entering the Leagues Cup on a five-match unbeaten streak, winning its last four in a row, Charlotte FC was denied a new club-record for consecutive victories in a 4-1 loss to FC Juárez.
Charlotte head coach Dean Smith will hope a winless Chivas de Guadalajara squad can put his side back on the win column.
“You're coming up against teams that you don't know, players that you haven't come up against, coaches you haven't come up against previously, recruitment systems that are different,” said Smith on the challenges of Leagues Cup. “So, it's interesting. It makes it a really good challenge. And you know, we failed [on Wednesday] but we might not fail on Sunday, and that's the beauty of football.”
Mexican powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara will also seek redemption after giving up a free kick goal in the closing seconds for a crushing defeat against New York Red Bulls in their first game.
Despite attempts from current and former Mexican national team stars in Alan Pulido and Roberto Alvarado, Las Chivas couldn’t break through for its first Leagues Cup victory.
Sunday’s encounter presents another opportunity for head coach Gabriel Milito who will manage in his fourth official meeting since joining Guadalajara.
“I dream of building a great team, and I know I'm at a great institution,” said Milito. “What we all want is to position Chivas at the top, as its history and greatness dictate.”
“Streaks, whether good or bad, come to an end. We will work to win the next game,” he added.
