No penalty shootouts needed tonight, but that's probably because teams did all the scoring in regulation. A total of 28 goals were scored on Thursday night, the most in a single night of action in Leagues Cup. Four out of the six games saw opponents combine for at least five goals.
Entering tonight there had only been six instances of a team scoring 5+ goals in a single Leagues Cup game, well tonight the Sounders (7) and LA Galaxy (5) both did it. The Sounders historic 7-0 win looks even more impressive when you consider the game was tied 0-0 at the end of the first half. As for the Galaxy, they surrended two goals to Tijuana's 16-year-old phenom Gilberto Mora and found themselves tied up until the 65th minute when Joseph Paintsil put them in front and they would pad the lead with two more late goals.
FC Juarez also brought their offensive firepower up north as they put up four goals on Charlotte, led by Brazilian midfielder Madson who scored two goals in the opening 21 minutes of action. Cincinnati spoiled Sergio Ramos' Leagues Cup debut as they pulled off a contested win behind another stellar performance from their MVP candidate, Evander, who had a goal and two assists.
The Rapids and Red Bulls needed late game-winner to get their respective wins, in what was yet another dominant night from MLS teams in Leagues Cup as they would go on to win five of the six matchups.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS 7, CRUZ AZUL 0
The Seattle Sounders put on an offensive display to remember on Thursday night as they erupted for seven goals to defeat Cruz Azul by a final score of 7-0, making it the largest margin of victory in Leagues Cup history.
It was intense at first, but it was all Sounders in the second half as they scored all seven goals of their historic performance after the break. Cruz Azul is coming off winning the Concacaf Champions Cup and they cannot be pleased with this start to Leagues Cup 2025.
This game can very much lift the spirits of a Sounders team that struggled in the FIFA Club World Cup and had been gaining momentum in the MLS, maybe it´s time for them make that jump during the Leagues Cup as they look to secure their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
LA GALAXY 5, CLUB TIJUANA 2
Defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy are off to an ideal start in Leagues Cup 2025 with a 5-2 rout of border rivals Tijuana at Dignity Health Sports Park on Thursday night.
Blink and you’d miss the action in a blistering match that turned into more of a track meet than a football match. No matter how much possession LA held, Xolos would counterattack, only to leave space in behind their own back line and get hit in transition themselves.
FC CINCINNATI 3, MONTERREY 2
Everyone knew that it was going to be a close matchup and fans were not disappointed as FC Cincinnati opened up the tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory over FC Monterrey in another intense Leagues Cup match that included another controversial VAR decision at a key point of the match.
In the 31st minute, Gerardo Valenzuela found a determined Evander who delivered a strong shot to beat the goalkeeper from just inside the box to open the scoring. After Monterrey tied it, Evander would find Luca Orellano in the 53rd minute for the go-ahead goal that seemed to be offside until VAR overruled it. Cincy would hold on to secure three important points and send a message to the rest of the teams that they are one of the teams to beat in Leagues Cup 2025.
FC JUAREZ 4, CHARLOTTE FC 1
Charlotte FC suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat at home to FC Juárez, with the visitors taking complete control early and never looking back.
FC Juárez opened the scoring just seven minutes in through Brazilian midfielder Madson, who struck again in the 21st minute to complete a brace and expose Charlotte’s lack of defensive organization.
This 4-1 loss leaves Charlotte FC in a difficult position, especially with goal differential weighing heavily where only four MLS teams advance. For FC Juárez, the performance marked a breakthrough under new manager Martín Varini.
COLORADO RAPIDS 2, SANTOS LAGUNA 1
The match ended in a whirlwind, as Brazilian striker Rafael Navarro scored twice to lead the Colorado Rapids to a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Santos Laguna on Thursday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The win gave Colorado a valuable three points to kick off their Leagues Cup 2025 campaign.
Despite the victory, the Rapids remain outside the top four in the MLS standings for Phase One and will need a strong showing—and more goals—on Sunday when they face their next Liga MX opponent, Club Tijuana (Xolos).
NEW YORK RED BULLS 1, GUADALAJARA 0
Emil Forsberg struck the match-winning goal in the final seconds to hand the New York Red Bulls a 1-nil victory against Chivas de Guadalajara on Thursday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
Both goalkeepers looked to be making a bid for Man of the Match honors with penalty kicks looming, but New York’s Swedish star had other plans.
