By Alejandro Guzmán
Chicago Fire FC completed a perfect Phase One in Leagues Cup 2026, earning a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul to finish with three wins from three matches and eliminate the reigning Liga MX champion from the tournament.
Puso Dithejane was the difference for Chicago, scoring twice to earn Man of the Match honors. His performance helped the Fire finish as the top-ranked MLS team in the Leagues Cup standings with a perfect nine points.
Cruz Azul created the first dangerous opportunities of the match, with Gabriel Fernández and Gonzalo Piovi coming close from set pieces early on. Chicago thought it had taken the lead early in the second half when Robert Lewandowski found the net, but the goal was disallowed after the referee ruled that the striker had committed a foul on Jeremy Márquez in Cruz Azul's defensive area.
Chicago finally found the breakthrough in the 67th minute when Dithejane finished to put the Fire ahead. Cruz Azul responded by increasing the pressure, but Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady made several important saves to keep his team in front.
Cruz Azul eventually found its equalizer through Nicolás Ibáñez, who scored his second goal in his last four games to make it 1-1 in the 81st minute.
With the match appearing headed toward a draw and a potential penalty shootout, Chicago found the decisive moment late in the game. Dithejane completed his brace in the third minute of stoppage time, giving the Fire a 2-1 victory and a perfect nine-point total.
The late goal was especially costly for Cruz Azul. The defeat left the Liga MX club outside the qualifying positions and eliminated it from the Leagues Cup. Chicago, meanwhile, finished the phase with a 3-0-0 record.
REACTIONS
- Chicago Fire Head Coach Gregg Berhalter
- “I don't think Lewandowski's goal should have been disallowed. That's a soft call at this level.”
- (on Puso Dithejane) “We see it every day in training what he does. When we came back from the World Cup, every day he is scoring goals in training. He scored in both [friendly] games. Dynamic player gets in good spots, tons of potential.”
- Cruz Azul Head Coach Joel Huiqui
- “Today we weren't able to sustain the pace, especially in terms of competitiveness, and we had some scoring opportunities that we weren't able to finish.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Chicago Fire
- Puso Dithejane scored both of Chicago's goals, including the late winner, to secure the Fire's perfect run.
GAME NOTES
- Chicago Fire FC finished the Leagues Cup Phase One with a perfect 3-0-0 record and nine points.
- Chicago finished Phase One as the highest-ranked MLS team in the Leagues Cup.
- Cruz Azul was eliminated from the tournament following the defeat.
- Nicolás Ibáñez scored his second goal in his last four games.
- Cruz Azul held 52% possession, while Chicago had 48%.
- Cruz Azul recorded 17 total shots to Chicago’s 11. Chicago led in shots on target at 6-5.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- Cruz Azul: Willer Ditta
- Chicago Fire: Puso Dithejane, Mauricio Pineda
LOOKING AHEAD
- Chicago Fire continues their MLS season vs Portland Timbers on August 16th.
- Cruz Azul returns to Liga MX action to take on Tijuana on August 16th.
