Yahoo Sports 🔬 The Debrief on Friday's rip-roaring Leagues Cup knockout action
The Leagues Cup round-of-32 is behind us as just 16 teams remain. Here is what went down a jam-packed Friday night around the grounds.
What happened
FC Cincinnati forward Corey Baird (11) reacts as FC Cincinnati wins in penalty kicks after regulation of the Leagues Cup match at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. FC Cincinnati defeated Santos Laguna in penalty kicks.
There was non-stop action around the tournament Friday evening, and we'll start in Columbus where the MLS champs joined the fray with a resounding 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in front of a raucous crowd.
Saw his moment. Made it count⚡️
Dylan Chambost finds his way on to the scoresheet in his Black & Gold debut 🤩#Crew96 | #CLBvSKC pic.twitter.com/dYvGtYuIxW— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 10, 2024
It was an evening for penalty shootouts, as NYCFC, Cincinnati, Toluca and Cruz Azul all booked their tickets to the next round, sending New England, Santos Laguna, Houston and Orlando City packing on penalties respectively.
En emocionante tanda de penales, @CruzAzul logra su boleto para los Octavos de Final de #LeaguesCup2024. Los campeones del 2019 van por su segundo título. pic.twitter.com/wb0egc25FD
— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) August 10, 2024
After the dramatic opening slate of games, things out west began to take shape when St. Louis City scored two late goals to beat the red-hot Portland Timbers.
Marcel ‼️ Hartel
Is this the goal that sends @stlCITYsc to the Round of 16?!?!?!?!?!
TIME WILL TELL pic.twitter.com/pmV9gnjC5E— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 10, 2024
Meanwhile, Colorado and Juárez put on a show in Commerce City, as the Rapids won a five-goal thriller to set up a showdown with Toluca.
Stop that, Zack 🥵 pic.twitter.com/jwUaQ9Dzzu
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 10, 2024
Finally, Club América showed why they are potential tournament favorites with gutsy win over Liga MX rivals Atlas. A late Henry Martín goal from close-range was enough to send Las Águilas through.
La jugada de Javairô 🤩
La definición de Henry 😮💨
Golazo del Ame para recuperar la ventaja ante Atlas ⚽️
Watch free on Apple TV ➡️ https://t.co/Bl4D8JI2Zx pic.twitter.com/2IegUifQpB— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 10, 2024
Goal of the night
There were a couple of stunners in this game, but Claudio Bravo's sensational effort from the edge of the box will go down as the best of the night, despite it being in a defeat.
Claudio Bravo equalizes in spectacular fashion for @TimbersFC! 😤 pic.twitter.com/kVGKh69T0c
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 10, 2024
Stat of the night
The knockout round seeding leaves a lot to be desired...
Teams that won groups but had to play away are now 0-4 in the knockouts of Leagues Cup.
I'm not one of the certified geniuses who changed Leagues Cup rules this year, but it sure does seem pretty dumb to make group stage success meaningless.— Kevin Morris (@socceralt) August 9, 2024
What this means
The bracket is set for the round-of-16 with some big-time clashes to leave you wanting more. Most notably, arguably the two best teams in MLS, Columbus and Miami, will square off in a mouth-watering tie.
America vs St. Louis City
Toluca vs Colorado Rapids
Seattle Sounders vs Pumas
LAFC vs SJ Earthquakes
FC Cincinnati vs Philadelphia
Mazatlan vs Cruz Azul
UANL Tigres vs New York City
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami
10/21 MLS and 6/11 Liga MX clubs from Round of 32 survived.— Tectonic Takes (@TectonicTakes) August 10, 2024
What comes next
The round-of-16 is only a few days away, as the eight games will play out across August 12/13 to decide who will head to the last-eight.
Image: © Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
