By J. Sam Jones
The Leagues Cup 2026 knockout discipline is about and… nicely, LIGA MX principally despatched the standard suspects and MLS determined to vary issues up!
Just a few shock tales are unfolding on the MLS facet, some with a greater likelihood of constant than others. The caliber of LIGA MX opponents left will not make it simple.
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With eight groups left, here is who’s obtained one of the best shot at a trophy. And bear in mind: MLS groups have received all three prior variations of the match. LIGA MX groups are extremely motivated to vary that.
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1. Toluca FC
Toluca would have topped this record no matter who they drew within the bracket. They’ve received nearly all the things during the last couple of years.
In 2025, they received Clausura, Apertura and Campeón de Campeones titles in LIGA MX. This summer season, they capped off that run with a 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup title. It is simply dangerous observe to guess in opposition to them till confirmed in any other case.
Austin are the match’s shock crew. Toluca are favored in that quarterfinal. They’re going to be favored in opposition to whoever comes out of RSL-León, too. They’re simply three matches away from finishing their trophy set, and at the least two of the video games are very winnable.
2. Membership América
Membership América could have their arms full with a Columbus Crew crew that appears to be figuring issues out at an exponentially growing pace. However they’re nonetheless stepping into as favorites in opposition to a crew combating for an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot.
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That matchup, and the actual fact they do not actually play highway video games because of their large fanbase, is sufficient to put Las Águilas firmly among the many trophy contenders.
Chicago’s quarterfinal matchup is simply good writing.
They transferred Hugo Cuypers to Monterrey a few weeks in the past, shortly after signing Polish legend Robert Lewandowski. Now, once they face Monterrey, Chicago will go up in opposition to their former striker (and former MLS Golden Boot introduced by Audi race chief) virtually instantly after.
Nonetheless, they’re going to be slight favorites at house. And, yeah, that Lewandowski man remains to be fairly good. Chicago might must take down a number of LIGA MX giants alongside the way in which, however they have one of the best likelihood of any MLS facet to do it.
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By just about any measure, they’re one of the best crew MLS has left within the combine.
4. Membership de Fútbol Monterrey Rayados, A.C.
It has been 5 years since Monterrey received their final Concacaf Champions Cup title. They don’t seem to be the identical continental powerhouse that received 5 CCCs from 2011 to 2021. It is onerous to even name them a LIGA MX powerhouse proper now, with only one league title (Apertura 2019) within the final decade.
However, c’mon, it nonetheless feels uncomfortable to consider counting Rayados out.
They’ve Hugo Cuypers at striker! What crew would not need Hugo Cuypers at striker? They’ve Diego Rossi as an attacking midfielder! What crew would not need Diego Rossi as an attacking midfielder?
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They’ve spent loads of money on the remainder of the roster, too. There’s sufficient expertise there to win this complete factor.
The Crew are wanting so much like The Crew once more recently.
They rolled by Part One with wins over Atlas and Pachuca, then outlasted Pumas in penalties. Of their two league video games earlier than the match, they took down FC Cincinnati and drew with Inter Miami. They’re getting outcomes, they usually’re taking part in with aesthetics that (at the least) remind you of the Wilfried Nancy-era Crew. Interim head coach Laurent Courtois has performed strong work to get them again on monitor.
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It helps that the Crew entrance workplace might need flexed once more. New DP midfielder Brais Méndez has instantly seemed like a Finest XI-caliber participant since arriving from Actual Sociedad. There have been loads of causes to query their resolution to maneuver Diego Rossi to Monterrey, however Columbus might have simply struck gold once more anyway. What, prefer it’s onerous?
Nonetheless, they have possibly the hardest path. It is Membership América to start out, then the winner of Chicago-Monterrey earlier than the ultimate.
No Gozo, no downside. A minimum of up to now.
Even with Zavier Gozo reportedly on his option to Crystal Palace, RSL navigated previous Part One. Though we should always notice they did not precisely encounter a gauntlet. Wins over Atlante and Juárez, plus a draw with Tigres, have them within the quarterfinals.
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Their path to the ultimate is not as favorable. They’re going to face Membership León in a winnable quarterfinal matchup earlier than they’re going to seemingly see Toluca within the semifinals.
RSL are a strong, well-drilled crew that might, in idea, pull off a trophy run. It is simply onerous to ascertain it whereas they study to navigate life with out Gozo.
7. Membership León
León are by far essentially the most shocking LIGA MX facet to make it right here. However my goodness, did they do it in fashion.
Video games in opposition to Inter Miami, Nashville and Orlando Metropolis would have derailed most groups. As an alternative, they took all 9 factors. Yeah, there was some lineup rotation for the MLS sides. That is nonetheless a powerful run and will have León supporters feeling optimistic after troublesome Apertura and Clausura campaigns final 12 months.
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That being mentioned, they’re going to must play at altitude in opposition to RSL, then might need Toluca ready for them within the semifinals. They cruised by Part One, however issues aren’t going to get any simpler. That is sufficient to push them decrease on this record.
It does not make a lot sense to see Austin right here throughout a down 12 months.
However, hey, Myrto Uzuni obtained sizzling in Part One and delivered 4g/1a. With their Albanian ahead main the way in which, Austin took care of enterprise in opposition to Xolos and Puebla and even managed a draw in opposition to América. That is all it took for them to make the quarterfinals.
Toluca are ready for them within the subsequent spherical. Crazier issues have occurred, however they have a tall activity forward of them.
