MATCH BY MATCH
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. CLUB LEÓN (Sports Illustrated Stadium, 6 p.m. ET)
Not to say these teams should be in "panic mode", but they both find themselves in an early must-win situation after the first slate of games in Leagues Cup, which makes the encounter between New York City FC and Club León this Friday at Sports Illustrated Stadium a very interesting one.
NYCFC are coming off a tough loss at home against a Puebla team that created key opportunities and capitalized unlike their opponents. Seymour Reid and Nicolás Fernández Mercau got their first starts of the season and seemed to start creating chemistry little by little on the pitch. However, it was not enough to generate goals and that is something that Pascal Jansen will need to address.
READ MORE | MATCH PREVIEW: New York City FC and Club León meet in an early Leagues Cup “must-win” game
COLUMBUS CREW vs. CLUB PUEBLA (Lower.com Field, 7 p.m. ET)
Few expected the reigning Leagues Cup champions to find themselves in such a precarious position this early in the tournament. Even fewer anticipated Club Puebla sitting pretty with a +3 goal differential, marking a surprising start to this year’s competition. Leagues Cup has officially embraced chaos—and it’s only the second slate of games for teams.
In one of the better matchups of that second slate, fans are in for a treat at Lower.com Field, where Columbus Crew will look to get back on track and exact revenge against Puebla. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time, live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC vs. MAZATLÁN FC (Shell Energy Stadium, 8:30 p.m. ET)
The Houston Dynamo and Mazatlán FC meet for the first time, with both teams setting their sights on three points as the Cañoneros dock on the Gulf Coast for a clash at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The Houston Dynamo look to rebound from a loss to Tigres UANL when former Tigres manager Robert Siboldi comes to town with a renewed Mazatlán FC group that took two points from its meeting with LAFC.
Despite taking positives from hanging with a talented Tigres squad for the better part of their opening bout, the Dynamo will look to collect their first set of points to help their hopes of advancing to the Knockout Round.
TOLUCA vs. CF MONTRÉAL (Sports Illustrated Stadium, 9 p.m. ET)
In matchday 2 of the Leagues Cup, both Toluca and CF Montréal—who drew their opening games and won via penalty kicks—are looking to gain important ground in the standings with a victory.
A cautious approach from CF Montréal may be in the cards, given Toluca’s firepower up front. But don’t expect Donadel’s side to simply park the bus—Toluca’s leaky defense and Prince Owusu’s form may be too tempting not to exploit.
READ MORE | MATCH PREVIEW: Knockout Stage spot may be up for grabs as Toluca and CF Montréal square off
LAFC vs. PACHUCA (BMO Stadium, 10:30 p.m. ET)
These are the matchups we cherish.
Two teams with the merit to qualify for the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup, yet so evenly matched that neither was able to earn a win in that competition.
Los Tuzos have quickly put that disappointment behind them with four consecutive wins. They started 3-0-0 in the new LIGA MX Apertura campaign to move atop the table before overcoming San Diego FC in their Leagues Cup opener. Meanwhile, LAFC similarly bounced back in the league but have yet to do so in tournament play following their devastating penalty shootout loss in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Mazatlán.
TIGRES UANL vs. SAN DIEGO FC (Snapdrago Stadium, 11 p.m. ET)
Club Tigres look to secure a top spot heading into the last Phase One game of the Leagues Cup when they face the newest MLS team in their home stadium, while San Diego FC will try everything to stay alive in the tournament.
Los Felinos travel to Southern California after a convincing 4-1 victory at Houston Dynamo with an inspired Ángel Correa. The Argentinian scored twice in the match in his tournament debut and is set to contribute all season long up front for a dangerous Club Tigres team that has their eyer on the trophy.
