Group play is done. We have our eight qualifiers for the next round of quarterfinals. Here’s how it played out.

Results that Mattered

Toluca 2 – 1 New York City FC

Despite having only two goal scorers (Paulinho with four; Jesús Angulo with two) they are the only Liga MX side that went undefeated in group play. Maybe it hasn’t been much of a team effort, but it’s certainly been effective.

CF Montréal 1 – 2 Puebla

A knuckleheaded shove in the back earned Joel Waterman a red card and Puebla a PK. But keeper Thomas Gillier came up big, blocking the shot. It was only the 26th minute. Montréal then took the lead early in the second half when substitute Caden Clark intercepted a poor clearance and set up Prince Owusu for the goal. But Puebla stayed calm. Eventually, they were able to wear down the tiring Montréal defenders and grab two back. They wouldn’t know it at the time, but this win would advance them to the quarter finals.

Orlando City 5 – 1 Necaxa

With that shellacking, Orlando City managed to boost themselves right up into the top four!

Necaxa had an interesting tournament. They exploded out of the gate, taking down Atlanta 3 – 1. Then they drew Inter Miami, losing the shootout. Then they traveled north to Orlando and got their asses kicked. Talk about a fizzing firework. They got more headlines for inflicting the injury that took Messi out of the tournament, and for announcing a celebrity investment round with Eva Longoria.

Inter Miami CF 3 – 1 Pumas UNAM

As loath as I am to admit it, Inter Miami have played well in Leagues Cup. They displayed some moments of brilliance, and also plenty of spine. Rodrigo de Paul has proven to be a clever signing, even if the financial ledgers to get him there resemble an M.C. Escher sketch.  This thorough victory over Pumas saw goals from de Paul, Luis Suárez (from the spot) and Tadeo Allende, bringing the total number of distinct goal scorers to six.

LA Galaxy 4 – 0 Santos

Galaxy had something to play for, and did it. Congrats to them on making it into the quarterfinals. I will still stand my ground that their performance has been an anomaly. They are not “back.” Santos barely put up a fight. LA had a 3 – 0 lead BEFORE they drew the first of two red cards. Galaxy showed some mercy by only once after that.

The Other Results

Tuesday 8/5 – Matchday 7

• Columbus Crew 1 – 0 León
  • Columbus needed more goals to advance. They put five on frame, but Léon’s keeper denied four of them.
• Houston Dynamo FC 1 – 2 Pachuca
  • Pachuca punched their ticket to the quarters with this win.
• Mazatlán FC 0 – 2 San Diego FC
  • This was more than an “honor” win for SDFC; it was the death blow for Mazatlán’s dream of moving onto the knockout round.
• Tigres UANL 1 – 2 LAFC
  • Tigres’ loss means they won’t host a quarter final game, but they still advanced.

Wednesday 8/6 – Matchday 8

• Atlanta United FC 4 – 1 Atlas
• Minnesota United FC 0 – 2 Atlético de San Luis
  • Destiny was in their hands, but the Loons fell short.
• América 1 – 1 Portland Timbers
  • América won the shootout 5 – 3.
• Real Salt Lake 1 – 0 Querétaro

Thursday 8/7 – Matchday 9

• FC Cincinnati 1 – 2 Guadalajara
• Monterrey 0 – 2 Charlotte FC
• New York Red Bulls 1 – 1 FC Juarez
  • Red Bulls won the shootout 5 – 3.
  • The “FC” stands for “Freakin’ Chokers”. All they needed was a win, or a shootout win. But no. Juarez crapped the bed and got eliminated.
• Cruz Azul 2 – 2 Colorado Rapids
  • Cruz Azul won the shootout 5 – 4.

Final Standings

Your quarterfinalists for each league are below.

Liga MX

MLS

Next Matches

We do know the fixtures for the quarterfinals, and that the games will be played on August 19 & 20. But we do not yet know the venues for the two Liga MX sides, nor the exact date and kickoff times.

Seattle Sounders vs. Puebla
Toluca vs. Orlando City SC
Pachuca vs. LA Galaxy
Inter Miami CF vs. Tigres UANL