Leagues Cup Final: Toluca vs. Rayados

Monterrey could be considered the party pooper of Sunday’s Leagues Cup final at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

And let’s be honest: Liga MX and Leagues Cup fans wanted to see Toluca vs. América — a rematch of the Clausura 2025 final, when the Diablos Rojos prevented América from winning a historic fourth consecutive league title.

Having América in the final would undoubtedly have meant stronger ticket sales. However, Monterrey’s proximity to Houston could work in Rayados’ favor, with plenty of their fans expected to make the trip for the championship match.

Rayados, managed by Matías Almeyda, reached the final after a controversial victory over América. The Águilas were denied a penalty that sparked outrage among their supporters, while Monterrey were awarded a penalty of their own.

Now, Rayados will face a familiar opponent in Antonio Mohamed. The Argentine manager led Monterrey to the Apertura 2019 title, while just a few months ago he guided Toluca to back-to-back Liga MX championships.

The matchup carries an additional storyline for ‘El Turco’: the Leagues Cup is the only Concacaf title he has yet to win. Toluca, meanwhile, enter the final as the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup champions.

In other words, there are plenty of reasons to keep an eye on this Leagues Cup final.

For the first time in the young competition’s history, a Liga MX club will be crowned champion. Since the tournament was created in 2019, MLS clubs had dominated the competition, but this time none of them reached the Final Four.

While Monterrey are looking to end a five-year drought without a major title, the Diablos Rojos are aiming to add another trophy to their collection under Antonio Mohamed.

Toluca’s road to the final

The Diablos Rojos currently sit second in Liga MX, three points behind league leaders América. They have won four matches and lost just one in domestic competition. Their most recent league match ended in a dominant 4-0 victory over Juárez in front of their home fans.

However, Toluca still have unfinished business with their supporters after losing the Campeón de Campeones to Cruz Azul.

In the Leagues Cup semifinal, the Diablos faced León, who had gone eight consecutive matches unbeaten across all competitions. Federico Pereira opened the scoring in the 41st minute, giving Toluca the lead heading into halftime. In the second half, Federico Viñas applied the law of the ex, scoring against the club he once represented in the 75th minute.

León’s task became even more difficult when Jhohan Romaña was sent off, leaving Toluca with a numerical advantage for the final stretch of the match.

The controversial América vs. Monterrey semifinal

In the other semifinal, Liga MX leaders América faced a Monterrey side playing under new manager Matías Almeyda.

Rayados took the lead early in the second half when Diego Rossi scored a spectacular goal with what appeared to be a shot-cross that found the back of the net. América responded with goals from Ramón Juárez and Alan Cervantes to take a temporary lead. However, Lucas Ocampos converted from the penalty spot to level the score and send the match to a penalty shootout.

The controversy had already begun in the first half. América supporters claimed Henry Martín was brought down inside the box and that the Águilas should have been awarded a penalty.

Martín himself expressed his frustration after the match: “It’s frustrating. In the 12th minute, the penalty they committed against me… It’s huge that they weren’t able to see it.”

In the shootout, América initially took the advantage after Alan Cervantes converted his penalty. But Cervantes would ultimately become the only América player to miss from the spot. Hugo Cuypers converted the decisive penalty to send Monterrey into the Leagues Cup final.

Possible lineups

Toluca (4-2-3-1)
Hugo González;
Brian García, Federico Pereira, Everardo López, Jesús Gallardo;
Nicolás Castro, Franco Romero;
Jesús Angulo, Alexis Vega, Helinho;
Federico Viñas.

Monterrey (4-2-3-1)
Esteban Andrada;
Ricardo Chávez, Víctor Guzmán, Carlos Salcedo, Gerardo Arteaga;
Orbelín Pineda, Iker Fimbres;
Diego Rossi, Jesús Corona, Lucas Ocampos;
Hugo Cuypers.

Leagues Cup Final schedule

For the first time, the Leagues Cup final and third-place match will be played at the same venue: Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. According to the information published on the official Leagues Cup website, the match will be available to watch in the United States on Apple TV.

Toluca vs. Monterrey — Final

• Date: Sunday, September 6
• Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. CT / 5:15 p.m. PT

América vs. León — Third-place match

• Date: Sunday, September 6
• Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston
• Time: 5:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. PT

Hooligan Pick: Toluca 2-1 Monterrey