By Tony Álvarez
Columbus has struggled as of late and will need to avoid any letdown after a remarkable opening round in Leagues Cup as it prepares to face a very consistent Águilas side.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- 3rd meeting all-time (each time has won once)
- This will be their 2nd meeting in Leagues Cup (Columbus won 4-1 in 2023)
- Record at Leagues Cup: Club America (8-5), Columbus Crew (12-2)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Club América:
- 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss
- Columbus Crew:
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 3 Losses
MAIN STORYLINES
- Club América enters the matchup in strong form after solid performances in both Leagues Cup and Liga MX.
- Columbus Crew have lost their last three MLS matches since the conclusion of the Leagues Cup opening round.
- This will be the second time the clubs have faced each other in Leagues Cup competition, with Columbus Crew defeating Club América 4-1 in the final group-stage match of the 2023 edition.
- Club América defeated Columbus Crew on penalty kicks in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Final.
- Columbus Crew remain undefeated in the current edition of Leagues Cup.
KEY FACTORS
- Club América:
- Club América scored seven goals during the opening round of the current Leagues Cup edition.
- Henry Martín is coming off a two-goal performance in Liga MX.
- Brian Rodríguez and Isaías Violante each scored two goals in Leagues Cup, giving América multiple dangerous options in attack.
- Columbus Crew:
- Columbus has shown some inconsistency across its MLS and Leagues Cup performances.
- Brais Méndez scored two goals in Leagues Cup and has been an important factor in the attack since his arrival.
- Columbus will no longer have a true home-field advantage, with Club América expected to have a strong presence in the stands.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
This one should be special. Two teams with championship aspirations, Club América and Columbus Crew, will battle for a spot in the Leagues Cup Semifinals on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is set for 10:45 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
There is plenty to talk about heading into this matchup, and everything points to the possibility of an instant classic. Las Águilas have looked strong so far this season. They currently sit atop the Liga MX standings with a league-best four wins and one draw through five matches, totaling 13 points with a +8 goal differential. But that’s not all.
Club América won its first two Leagues Cup matches by identical 3-1 scores, first defeating San Diego FC in the historic first-ever Leagues Cup match at Estadio Banorte (Azteca) and then beating Portland Timbers on the road. América added another point against Austin FC after a 1-1 draw in regulation before falling in the penalty shootout.
This will be the third time these teams have faced each other in any competition, and if history tells us anything, this could be another memorable encounter. Columbus Crew defeated the Mexican side 4-1 in the final group-stage match of the 2023 Leagues Cup, winning the group and sending América through in second place.
The Liga MX side got its revenge when the clubs met again in 2024. After a 1-1 draw in regulation, the match went to penalty kicks, where Luis Ángel Malagón saved three attempts to help América claim the victory.
Columbus Crew is looking to reach another Leagues Cup Final after winning the tournament against LAFC in 2024, and the Crew have done an impressive job so far in this edition to put themselves in position for another deep run.
Columbus went unbeaten through the opening round, defeating Atlas FC 3-1 and CF Pachuca 2-1 before beating Pumas in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation. The Crew have looked dangerous with quick transitions and a strong attack, particularly since the arrival of Brais Méndez, who has added a different dimension to the team. Still, there are a couple of important factors to consider.
Inconsistency has been an issue in league play, as Columbus currently sits second-to-last in the MLS Eastern Conference. Since completing the opening round of Leagues Cup, the Crew have also lost all three of their MLS matches.
Another factor is the change in venue. Columbus enjoyed home-field advantage throughout the opening round but will now travel west to Carson, California, to face one of the Mexican clubs with the largest fanbases in the United States, particularly in Southern California. Any traditional home-field advantage could disappear, something worth considering for a Columbus side that has won just one road match this season.
There will be plenty for both sides to consider, but once the whistle blows, the focus will be entirely on the field. With recent history between the clubs, plenty of attacking talent and a place in the Semifinals at stake, Club América and Columbus Crew have all the ingredients for one of the most compelling Quarterfinal matchups of the Leagues Cup.
Polymarket sees Club América as the clear favorite, giving Las Águilas a 74% chance compared to 30% for Columbus Crew ahead of their Leagues Cup Quarterfinal clash.
