This Thursday, the quarterfinal matchups of the CONCACAF Champions Cup were officially set. The action will kick off during the week of April 7 and wrap up between April 14 and 16.
In this Round of 16, Liga MX clubs made it very clear—yet again—that when it comes to facing MLS teams, they’re still the ones holding the upper hand. In the three series where teams from both leagues clashed, Mexican sides came out on top, sending their American counterparts packing. Once again the stage is set: Liga MX vs MLS for continental bragging rights. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s break down what happened.
Toluca’s Comeback
In one of the most thrilling matchups of the round, Toluca knocked out San Diego FC with a commanding 4-0 win on Wednesday at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The Californian side had won 3-2 the week before at Snapdragon Stadium, leaving the series wide open and raising expectations that they could seriously trouble the reigning Liga MX champions. In the first leg, Mikel Varas’ team even went up 3-1 at one point, teasing what would have been a massive upset: eliminating the best team in Mexico.
But reality hit hard in the return leg. MLS teams still seem to struggle under the unique conditions of Mexican stadiums—hostile crowds, altitude, and that unmistakable pressure that somehow turns even simple passes into existential crises. While MLS teams often dominate when playing on home soil (just ask Liga MX teams about the Leagues Cup), the script flips dramatically once they cross the border. Under those conditions, Antonio Mohamed’s squad showed no mercy, cruising to a 4-0 victory. Mohamed didn’t hold back afterward: “We lacked finishing; if we had been sharper, we could have won 10-0,” he said. Subtle as ever.
Toluca now advances as one of the tournament favorites and will face LA Galaxy, who had a much more relaxed evening. They dispatched Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Academy with a dominant 6-0 aggregate score. Gabriel Pec led the way with a brace in their 3-0 win in the Caribbean, finishing off what was already looking like a done deal after the first leg. However, things are about to get much more complicated. LA Galaxy hasn’t exactly been setting MLS on fire this season, with just 4 points out of a possible 12. Facing Toluca? Let’s just say this will be less of a stroll and more of a survival test.
Tigres Last Gasp Finish
Another Mexican team that advanced in dramatic fashion was Tigres, who defeated FC Cincinnati 5-1 on Thursday in a game that was far more nerve-wracking than the scoreline suggests. Cincinnati had won the first leg 3-0 at TQL Stadium and looked set to advance even while trailing 4-1 in the second leg—because yes, away goals and aggregate math can be cruel like that. They earned the qualification from a Kévin Denkey goal in the 65th minute.
But then came the chaos. Deep into stoppage time (90+8), Fernando Gorriarán scored the decisive goal that flipped the entire series. What followed was one of the most painful eliminations in Cincinnati’s history. Imagine being dominated, still somehow qualifying, and then losing it all at the very last second. Brutal. Football can be poetic, but also merciless.
Tigres will now face Seattle Sounders, who eliminated Vancouver Whitecaps.
Inter Miami’s Fall
Meanwhile, another MLS heavyweight fell unexpectedly: Inter Miami. Yes, Lionel Messi and company are out.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Messi scored early in the return match, seemingly setting up a comfortable night. But Nashville had other plans. A goal from Cristian Espinoza in the 74th minute sealed Miami’s fate, sending them crashing out of the tournament.
It’s a major disappointment for a team that invested heavily to compete internationally. So far, their continental ambitions remain… aspirational. Nashville, on the other hand, now gets the “reward” of facing Club América and visiting the legendary Estadio Azteca, which will also host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Good luck with that.
América & Azul
América advanced after eliminating Philadelphia Union. They won 1-0 away in the first leg and secured a 1-1 draw in Mexico City. Despite Philadelphia controlling much of the second match, América essentially parked the bus—no shame in that—and held on. Philadelphia’s coach, Bradley Carnell, remained positive: “América is a top team, and we competed equally. I leave satisfied with what we did in Mexico; it will help us achieve good things in MLS,” he said. Moral victories are still victories… right?
Finally, Cruz Azul and LAFC will square off in what promises to be the most exciting matchup of the quarterfinals. Cruz Azul is currently second in Liga MX with 26 points and looks like a serious contender. Meanwhile, LAFC has been flawless in MLS so far, winning all four of their matches and showcasing their new star signing, Heung-Min Son, who has arrived in spectacular form.
Cruz Azul advanced after a thrilling 4-3 aggregate win over Monterrey, while LAFC edged past Costa Rica’s Alajuelense 3-2. Not the most convincing performance, but hey, a win is a win.
The Quarterfinal Matchups
- Cruz Azul vs LAFC
- Toluca vs LA Galaxy
- Nashville vs América
- Tigres vs Seattle Sounders
Let the Liga MX vs MLS debate continue… because clearly, it’s not going anywhere.
