By Kelvin Loyola
Columbus and Toluca kickoff Leagues Cup 2025 with a battle of champions at Lower.com Field. Toluca comes off winning the Clausura 2025 while the Crew start their defense of last year's Leagues Cup title. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV and is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. local time.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 3rd meeting all-time (last played at 2010 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals)
- Toluca have edge in the series (1 win, 1 draw)... played to a draw in 1st leg of Concacaf Champions Cup matchup, then Toluca won 2nd leg
- Since their last meeting, the Crew have won two MLS Cups (2020 and 2023), while Toluca claimed the 2025 Clausura title
- Record at Leagues Cup: Columbus (7-1), Toluca (6-2)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Columbus Crew: 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
- The Crew continue to hold on to 4th place in the MLS Eastern Conference despite losses to two direct rivals, Nashville and Orlando City
- Toluca: 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 1 Loss
- Toluca have been on a strong run of form, with their only setback being a shock defeat to Tigres in Week 3 of the Liga MX Apertura. Prior to that, Los Diablos Rojos lifted the Campeón de Campeones Cup against América
MAIN STORYLINES:
- The Columbus Crew are considered one of the most balanced and well-rounded sides in Major League Soccer. With four major titles since 2021, they’re considered one of the top teams in MLS
- Toluca are a high-scoring team. Even before their recent league defeat, Antonio Mohamed’s side had scored at least three goals in each of their last four matches
- Crew winger Maximilian Arfsten is surrounded by major transfer speculation. The USMNT prospect could be sold during the summer window, potentially leaving the Crew without a key player
- Toluca’s Alexis Vega recently played the role of super sub, notching two assists in their 4-3 loss to Tigres. Expect El Turco Mohamed to keep some firepower on the bench to take advantage of their MLS opponents
- The Columbus Crew are aiming to become the first club ever to win back-to-back Leagues Cup titles
KEY FACTORS:
- Columbus Crew:
- Diego Rossi has been the team’s spark plug this season. The Uruguayan has 12 goals and 4 assists, taking over as the main scoring threat since Cucho Hernández's move to Real Betis
- After missing the Gold Cup due to injury, goalkeeper Patrick Schulte will need a solid Leagues Cup performance to regain the attention of Mauricio Pochettino. A strong showing against Toluca could boost his standing
- Jacen Russell-Rowe is enjoying a career year with 7 goals and 2 assists. The homegrown talent has truly come into his own in 2025
- Toluca:
- All eyes will be on Hélinho. The Brazilian has 3 goals and 2 assists in the early part of the Apertura, leading the league in total goal contributions
- Marcel Ruíz has been a rock in Toluca’s back line, offering a crucial defensive shield. He’ll look to assert himself in the Leagues Cup starting XI
- Paulinho will be a major test for the Crew defense. The Portuguese international scored his first goal of the season against Tigres and will look to build momentum
WHAT TO EXPECT?
This feels like the perfect way to kick off the Leagues Cup 2025, with two of the top teams from each league squaring off—each a current title holders in their own right. The Columbus Crew have thrived in big games, with their build-from-the-back approach and deadly counterattack led by one of last year's Leagues Cup stars, Diego Rossi.
Toluca enter the tournament as hot as any team in the region. Los Diablos Rojos have been electric in the final third, scoring 13 goals in their last four matches. However, their defense has also been a tad shaky, conceding eight during that stretch.
The key question of this match seems to be which of these clubs back line can withstand the firepower both offenses bring to the table. MLS teams have historically been vulnerable to "soft" goals, and Wilfried Nancy’s squad must stay tight at the back to allow their attack to shine on those counterattacks.
Expect goals and fluid attacking play as both sides aim to set the tone early in the tournament. The winner of this clash not only grabs bragging rights but also gets a huge confidence boost with a win over one of the other league’s top sides. While the losing side will face a tough climb out of an early hole in an attempt to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
