The race for the Leagues Cup 2026 Quarterfinals took another dramatic turn on Matchday 7, with late goals, comeback victories and more penalty shootout heroics reshaping the standings as Phase One approaches its conclusion.
Real Salt Lake made one of the biggest statements of the night, cruising past Juárez 3-0 to reach eight goals through three matches—the most in the tournament—and put itself in position to advance, although results elsewhere will ultimately determine its fate. Columbus Crew also reached eight points after surviving Pumas in a penalty shootout, becoming the first MLS club to hit that mark in Phase One.
Drama followed elsewhere. Tigres won a penalty shootout for the third consecutive match, this time overcoming Vancouver Whitecaps without penalty specialist Nahuel Guzmán, who was sent off just before the shootout. Pachuca stunned Charlotte FC with Alan Bautista’s 91st-minute winner, ending the Crown’s hopes of advancing, while Minnesota United came from behind to defeat Atlante 3-1 and eliminate Los Potros along with them. The night’s other comeback belonged to Atlas FC, which struck twice after the 79th minute to defeat FC Cincinnati 2-1 and leave one of the tournament’s early favorites out of contention.
Columbus 1 (3) vs Pumas 1 (2)
Columbus Crew sealed a 3-2 win in the penalty shootout over Pumas, after a 1-1 draw in regulation, on Tuesday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. The result keeps the MLS side in contention to advance, depending on other results.
Columbus now awaits the remaining Phase One results to see if their eight points are enough to advance to the quarterfinals.
Pachuca 1 vs Charlotte 0
Pachuca scored in the dying seconds to defeat Charlotte, leaving Charlotte unable to control their own path to the Knockout Rounds.
The game appeared destined for a draw until the final moments.
In the 90th minute, Tim Ream attempted to play out from the back but underhit his pass, allowing Alan Bautista to recover possession. Bautista drove forward into the open space, entered the box and calmly placed his finish into the corner to give Pachuca a dramatic late victory.
Atlas 2 vs Cincinnati 1
Cincinnati suffered a painful collapse at TQL Stadium, falling 2-1 to Atlas and missing an opportunity to secure its place in the 2026 Leagues Cup Quarterfinals.
The loss leaves Cincinnati on six points and in sixth place in the MLS standings, forcing the club to wait for other results to determine whether its tournament run will continue.
Minnesota United 3 vs Atlante 1
Already eliminated from the tournament, Minnesota United defeated Atlante 3-1, ending Los Potros’ hopes of advancing in the 2026 Leagues Cup.
The win snapped Minnesota United’s nine-match winless run across all competitions, allowing the Loons to close their Leagues Cup campaign on a positive note.
For Atlante, the defeat brought the club’s first Leagues Cup campaign to an end.
Real Salt Lake 3 vs FC Juárez 0
Real Salt Lake earned a 3-0 win against FC Juárez on Tuesday at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, in a first-ever encounter as the two unbeaten clubs sought to help their chances of advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Real Salt Lake reached seven points and will await results from the other teams to learn its fate in the Leagues Cup. Meanwhile, FC Juárez will finish with six points and must also wait for other results to find out if it will advance.
Tigres UANL 1 (5) vs Vancouver Whitecaps 1 (4)
It was a close call, but Tigres found a way to stay alive in the race for the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation.
It was the first Leagues Cup match ever played at Estadio Universitario, and the home crowd immediately made its presence felt, providing Tigres with plenty of energy.
The result keeps Tigres alive in the race for the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals, but their fate is no longer entirely in their hands. The Mexican side must now wait for the remaining Phase One results to determine whether its tournament run will continue.
