🔬 The Debrief on Tuesday's jam-packed Leagues Cup round-of-16 action
The Leagues Cup round-of-16 was one to remember as we saw giants crash out, stunning comebacks, and plenty more. Let's dig into what went down Tuesday evening.
What happened
The tone was set in Columbus when the Crew came roaring back against Miami in the marquee matchup of the evening. Columbus erased a two-goal deficit in the final 25 minutes of the match to send the tournament holders packing.
UNBELIEVABLE. 😲@ColumbusCrew come back from down 0-2 to win 3-2 vs. Miami and eliminate them from @LeaguesCup! pic.twitter.com/UruYhkZ4vj
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2024
Staying in Ohio, Cincinnati had appeared to pull off a stunning comeback like their rivals, pulling it back against Philadelphia after being two goals won themselves. However, the Union regained a two goal lead rapidly, sending Pat Noonan's side out in front of their own fans.
⚽️ 53' Cincy 0-1 Philly
⚽️ 61' Cincy 0-2 Philly
⚽️ 66' Cincy 1-2 Philly
⚽️ 80' Cincy 2-2 Philly
⚽️ 82' Cincy 2-3 Philly
⚽️ 84' Cincy 2-4 Philly
WHAT. A. GAME. #LeaguesCup2024— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
After Philly's impressive win, Mexican giants began to fall. The 10 men of Cruz Azul were the first to crash out despite fighting back against Mazatlán to force penalties, but the Liga MX leaders missed three of their four spot-kicks and fell at the hands of their domestic rivals.
El Mazatlán lo gana en penales y avanza a Cuartos de Final 🤩@CruzAzul: ❌⚽️❌❌ @MazatlanFC: ⚽️⚽️⚽️#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/PTghklTtlk
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
The giant-killings continued as NYCFC turned around an early deficit to stun Tigres in New Jersey. The in-form Santi Rodriguez lead the Pigeons to quarter-finals with a late winner.
Big-game player 🥶 pic.twitter.com/w28F7kH2GY
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) August 14, 2024
Out west, the Colorado Rapids needed a stroke of luck at the death to fend off Toluca and book their spot in the next round in dramatic fashion.
¡Darren Yapi con el de la victoria absoluta para @ColoradoRapids! 💥 #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/pFeQy6bumS
— MLS Español (@MLSes) August 14, 2024
Unlike Tigres and Cruz Azul before them, Club América avoided being on the receiving end of a giant-killing, digging themselves out of a second-half hole to find a way past St. Louis City.
RAYITOOOOOOO ⚡️
Brian Rodríguez le vuelve a dar la ventaja al @ClubAmerica 🦅
Watch on Apple TV ➡️ https://t.co/XN45npWHmh pic.twitter.com/AWGsa7Ok2e— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
And finally, LAFC thumped California rivals San Jose 4-1 on the night when Olivier Giroud made his debut in front of the Black and Gold faithful at BMO Stadium.
With goal number 4️⃣, Denis Bouanga may have just sent @LAFC to the Quarterfinals!#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/QpDffhZQVx
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
Goal of the night
Paulinho, take a bow!
La definición de Paulinho 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Vmo0kkqM8K
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
Moment of the night
It's always a great moment when a bonafide star makes his debut. Now that Olivier Giroud has taken the pitch for the Black and Gold, the former France star became the fifth World Cup winner to have appeared in the Leagues Cup in its current form. Giroud joined Thiago Almada, Sergio Busquets, Hugo Lloris, and Lionel Mess on that list.
Olivier Giroud makes his @LAFC debut! 👏#LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/7hue7F6w0K
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 14, 2024
What this means
The bracket is set once again! Only eight teams remain and the competition is getting better and better with each passing night.
Locked in. 🔒@LeaguesCup quarterfinals take place on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/sYiBd4J4Lw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2024
What comes next
The quarter-finals will kick off this weekend, with all four games playing out on Saturday.
Image: © John Jones-USA TODAY Sports