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So far in Leagues Cup, MLS teams have won five of six games against LIGA MX opponents. Here’s how Saturday contributed to that trend.
CHIVAS - 1 (3) | SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES - 1 (4)
R. Alvarado (90+8') | J. Ebobisse (6')
There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. San Jose were the underdog, by a wide margin.
The Quakes are last in the overall MLS standings, 19 points off the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pace in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Chivas are a perennial LIGA MX contender and have one of the continent’s largest fanbases. To that latter point: 50,675 fans attended Levi’s Stadium, establishing a new Leagues Cup record.
But those dynamics sometimes evaporate in a tournament setting, especially with Leagues Cup offering teams a clean slate. And so San Jose got an early Jeremy Ebobisse header, some stunning saves from Daniel on his return from injury, and Vitor Costa scored the game-winner from the spot.
Why were penalty kicks required? Chivas star Roberto Alvarado scored a, um, controversial equalizer in the 98th minute. Wave after wave of pressure finally poked through the Quakes’ defense. But San Jose earned the extra point and, frankly, composed themselves in ways we haven’t seen this season.
Wild, wild stuff… which also spoiled Cade Cowell’s homecoming. He missed a PK for Chivas.
CLUB PUEBLA - 0 | INTER MIAMI CF - 2
M. Rojas (9'), L. Suárez (72')
The defending Leagues Cup champions never seemed to reach second (never mind third) gear in this one, but it didn’t even matter.
Matías Rojas scored a beauty early on and Luis Suárez capped an unreal sequence sparked by Julian Gressel’s outside-the-foot through ball. Just like that, they comfortably won and now look ahead to a huge group-stage showdown vs. Tigres.
Lionel Messi, who’s still rehabbing an ankle injury, watched on at Chase Stadium. My hunch is Messi could return if Inter Miami reach the semifinals or final. There’s no need to rush him, though. The Supporters’ Shield leaders have won seven of eight matches since Messi initially departed for Copa América in early June.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION - 1 | MATZALÁN FC - 0
J. Panayotou (69')
Amid a lengthy injury list, the homegrowns keep stepping up in New England.
This time, Jack Panayotou made the difference against Mazatlán by scoring his first first-team goal – having subbed on five minutes earlier. Peyton Miller was again impressive at left back, and Esmir Bajraktarevic is helping carry the attack.
The Revs have about 10 days until their next Leagues Cup match vs. Nashville SC. Maybe any of Carles Gil, Dylan Borrero or Giacomo Vrioni return from injury by then?
ST. LOUIS CITY SC - 2 | FC DALLAS - 1
C. Teuchert (27'), M. Hartel (49') | S. Junqua (18’)
In a season where highlights are in short supply, St. Louis found a spark against Dallas.
New signings Cedric Teuchert and Marcel Hartel scored in a 2-1 comeback victory, negating an early opener from Sam Junqua. Simon Becher also drew the penalty kick Hartel eventually converted.
João Klauss remains injured, but the new guys gave St. Louis another dimension in attack. Said another way: Roman Bürki doesn’t quite have to go nuclear every game now. It’s simply not sustainable to ask of their All-Star goalkeeper.
Also, this was St. Louis’ second win since mid-May! It’s been bleak around CITYPARK. We’ll see if this mini-turnaround continues next time out vs. LIGA MX’s FC Juárez.
NEW YORK RED BULLS - 0 (4) | TORONTO FC - 0 (5)
Remember back in February and March, when Sean Johnson was single-handedly getting Toronto points? The USMNT goalkeeper rediscovered that groove at Red Bull Arena, making four saves in regulation time and coming up huge in the PK shootout.
Toronto have won three out of their last four matches (all competitions) and are well-positioned to advance from a Leagues Cup group that also contains LIGA MX’s Pachuca.
From a Red Bulls’ point of view, this result just reaffirms they need help in the final third. Emil Forsberg returning from injury would solve a ton, but they’re still a piece (or two) away.
PHILADELPHIA UNION - 1 | CHARLOTTE FC - 0
T. Baribo (33')
The most exciting thing that happened Saturday night at Subaru Park? Union midfielder José Martínez was yellow-carded for “poor sportsmanship” before the game even began. I didn’t even know that was possible. No notes, 10 out of 10.
When the actual soccer commenced, Tai Baribo scored his seventh goal in his last eight matches across all competitions. That’s all Philly needed to secure a 1-0 win over Charlotte.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC - 0 | ATLAS FC - 1
J. Lozano (83')
The streak of MLS teams beating LIGA MX teams to start Leagues Cup had to end eventually. Atlas did the honors at Houston, with José Lozano curling home a top-corner golazo.
Houston’s Lawrence Ennali debuted and Ezequiel Ponce played his first match at Shell Energy Stadium. It will take some time for the new guys to gel.
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