MATCH BY MATCH
MONTERREY vs. FC CINCINNATI (TQL Stadium, 7 p.m. ET)
Soccer lovers, we have another marquee matchup in the Leagues Cup with two of the top clubs in North America facing each other, when Cincinnati hosts Monterrey.
Cincy arrives to the tournament opener in the middle of a Supporters Shield race with the Philadelphia Union and the pressure is on for them.
Rayados made quite an impression during their FIFA Club World Cup participation, after playing very intense games against top clubs from all around the globe. After that, head coach Domènec Torrent has been very pleased with his players in little time to work with them and now will look to capture another Concacaf tournament for their fanbase.
CHARLOTTE FC vs. FC JUAREZ (Bank of America Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Charlotte FC opens their Leagues Cup 2025 campaign against FC Juárez at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. While some MLS clubs have opted to rotate heavily in their opening matches, Charlotte enters the tournament on a five-match unbeaten run in league play and could become the latest in-form team to falter—depending on how head coach Dean Smith approaches squad selection.
On the other side, FC Juárez enters the match in poor form. The Liga MX side is winless in its last eight games. Despite its current struggles, Juárez has shown flashes in past editions of Leagues Cup, with group-stage wins against MLS clubs in the last two years. However, they are also remembered for being on the wrong side of tournament history, having suffered a 7-1 defeat to LAFC—one of the largest margins in Leagues Cup history.
GUADALAJARA vs. NY RED BULLS (Sports Illustrated Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET)
One of the most popular Liga MX clubs, Chivas de Guadalajara, heads to the New York metro area to meet one of the MLS originals in the New York Red Bulls.
The Gabriel Milito era at Chivas de Guadalajara has officially collected its first victory, and the 12-time Liga MX champions will seek to begin a positive streak as the club goes for its first win the Leagues Cup.
With the likes of Emil Forsberg, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Carlos Coronel among its ranks, RBNY will seek its first win against the famed Mexican club at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
COLORADO vs. SANTOS LAGUNA (Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 9:30 p.m. ET)
In a game that will pit two sides in need of a win, the Colorado Rapids and Santos Laguna will try to kick off their Leagues Cup campaign on the right foot, cautious of the difficult road that lies ahead.
Look for a game that will be tight at the back with few scoring chances. The Rapids will want to capitalize on the form of their two best attacking options and be hopeful that Cole Bassett or Josh Atencio can push the ball along to get the Rapids into good scoring chances.
For Santos, if Anthony Lozano is unfit to start, then all eyes will be on Chilean striker Bruno Barticciotto, who has 6 goals in 11 games since arriving in Mexico and could be a key factor if the former Talleres de Córdoba striker can get going.
CRUZ AZUL vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS (Lumen Field, 10:30 p.m. ET)
These two teams have a lot more in common with each other than what people think, as they are both Concacaf Champions Cup winners.
Sounders are looking solid on offense, scoring plenty of goals as of late and look to capture an eight home win this year with Albert Rusnák and Danny Musovski leading the way.
CF Cruz Azul on the other hand started they Liga MX season with a with a 0-0 draw at home against Mazatlán FC and then their offense woke up. A 3-3 tie and a 4-1 win lifted their spirits, especially after Ángel Spúlveda's hat trick.
LA GALAXY vs. TIJUANA (Dignity Health Sports Park, 11 p.m. ET)
Leagues Cup 2025 continues with a matchup of mid-table teams that tend to be very entertaining, as both have an offensive focus and prioritize their attack over defense.
For Xolos, they represent the first matches of the Apertura season under a new manager, with players adapting to the system. For Galaxy, they conclude the best five-game run of the year, in which the G’s acquired half of their season point total.
