By Victor Araiza
From historic firsts to surprise contenders, Phase One of Leagues Cup 2026 delivered no shortage of storylines.
The opening stage offered a snapshot of where MLS and Liga MX stand against one another in the aftermath of the FIFA World Cup. MLS finished Phase One with 32 match victories to Liga MX’s 22, including shootout victories.
While the numbers won’t settle the MLS-Liga MX debate, the action itself delivered compelling moments across 54 matches played over a 10-day stretch.
Here are some of the stories that defined Phase One.
Post-World Cup Celebration
Leagues Cup 2026 was always scheduled to be the closing act of a historic summer in North America, following the FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The summer showcase featuring MLS and Liga MX clubs was played across 22 venues in North America during Phase One. Three of those venues — Estadio Banorte, Lumen Field and BC Place — hosted World Cup matches this summer.
Among the highlights were passionate crowds from coast to coast and across all three host countries. Whether it was América fans taking over Portland, Chivas supporters feeling at home in California, or a sold-out atmosphere for the cross-border matchup between San Diego and Tijuana, the 2026 edition got off to an energetic start.
Leagues Cup Debuts in Mexico
The 2026 edition made history by bringing Leagues Cup matches to Mexico for the first time. Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca hosted two matches, while Estadio Banorte in Mexico City and Estadio Universitario in greater Monterrey hosted one each.
The host Liga MX clubs were victorious in all four encounters. Toluca and América were among the four Liga MX teams that advanced to the Quarterfinals, with home-field advantage providing an important boost.
Atlante FC also entered the competition and, despite not playing at home in Mexico City, opened with an impressive 1-0 win in Vancouver. Its next two results were less favorable, but the victory offered an encouraging glimpse of what the club could bring to future editions of the competition.
New Stars Make Their Leagues Cup Debuts
The likes of Son Heung-Min, Thomas Müller, Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski and Casemiro added another layer of star power to an already talent-rich Leagues Cup. Some missed last year’s edition, while others arrived during the latest transfer window, bringing another wave of international talent to the competition.
Hugo Cuypers also made his Leagues Cup debut after missing the 2024 and 2025 editions with Chicago Fire FC. Now with CF Monterrey, the Belgian scored three crucial goals, including two in stoppage time, to help the Mexican side qualify for the Quarterfinals.
Daniel Arcila and Myrto Uzuni also made their mark in their first appearances in the competition, with both finishing Phase One tied atop the scoring race with four goals.
Their presence, alongside established stars such as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Evander, Camilo Vargas, Juan Brunetta, Brian Rodríguez and Henry Martín, underscored the growing international profile of Leagues Cup.
Chicago on Fire
Chicago isn’t simply winning; the arrival of one of the world’s most recognizable strikers in Robert Lewandowski has immediately changed the perception of the club.
The Polish star helped fuel the Fire’s perfect start, which included victories over Necaxa, Santos Laguna and defending Liga MX champions Cruz Azul. The final result eliminated Cruz Azul from contention on the last day of Phase One.
Lewandowski scored in the victory over Santos and will look to help his new club challenge for a trophy just months after his arrival.
León Roars With Perfect Start
Club León surprised many by posting a perfect 3-0-0 record, with victories over current MLS Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC, Antoine Griezmann’s Orlando City SC and an Inter Miami CF squad featuring Casemiro, De Paul and Messi.
Daniel Arcila emerged as León’s breakout star with at least one goal in each match, including a brace in the final encounter with Inter Miami. Arcila leads all players in goals (4), shots (13) and shots on target (10).
Austin FC’s Revival
Austin FC has struggled in league play, currently sitting 14th in the Western Conference and eight points out of a playoff spot, but has been unbeatable in Leagues Cup. Austin earned wins against Tijuana and Puebla before defeating América in a penalty shootout.
Myrto Uzuni became the second player in Austin FC history to score a hat trick in the match against Puebla, while his game-tying goal against América moved the Albanian into a tie atop the scoring race with León’s Daniel Arcila.
Columbus Quietly Building Another Contender
The Crew quietly emerged as one of Phase One’s unbeaten teams, earning victories against Atlas FC and Pachuca before defeating Pumas UNAM on penalties.
The 2024 winners have experienced some turnover in the squad, with Diego Rossi and Max Arfsten among the departures this summer, but have brought in reinforcements including Brais Méndez, who recorded a goal contribution in each Leagues Cup match.
Fourth Place, but Far From Finished
Monterrey and Real Salt Lake may have finished fourth in their respective standings, but they are far from longshots to lift the trophy.
Rayados had to wait until the final hours of Phase One to learn their fate. Chicago’s victory over Cruz Azul opened the door for Monterrey to reach the Quarterfinals, setting up a meeting with the Fire and a reunion for Cuypers against his former club.
Real Salt Lake recovered from a shootout loss to Tigres in its opening match. Victories over Atlante and FC Juárez then helped the MLS side secure a place in the Quarterfinals.
Bouanga and Messi Trade the All-Time Record
One of the tournament’s ongoing storylines has been the tug of war for the all-time scoring record between Denis Bouanga and Lionel Messi.
Coming into the summer, Bouanga held the edge with 13 goals to Messi’s 12. Messi struck twice in Inter Miami’s opener against Atlético de San Luis to move into first with 14 before Bouanga scored against Chivas de Guadalajara to draw level.
Bouanga’s goal in LAFC’s final Phase One match against Querétaro put him back in first with 15 goals, adding another chapter to one of Leagues Cup’s most compelling individual rivalries.
Quarterfinals Set
The field is now down to eight teams. The four Liga MX qualifiers are León, Club América, Toluca and Monterrey, while the MLS representatives are Chicago Fire, Austin FC, Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake.
The Quarterfinal matchups are León vs. Real Salt Lake, Club América vs. Columbus Crew, Austin vs. Toluca, and Chicago Fire vs. Monterrey.
Now, the stories of Phase One give way to a different question: Which of these eight clubs can turn a memorable opening stage into a championship run?
