Leagues Cup opens with six Phase One contests

Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Charlotte FC and FC Juárez opened with victories, while Tigres UANL claimed the extra point in a penalty shootout.

Miami - 2026 Leagues Cup kicked off on Tuesday with six matches as part of Phase One of the tournament. The Concacaf-sanctioned competition pits MLS and Liga MX against each other as they battle for the regional crown and three spots in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Three MLS clubs and two Liga MX sides earned three points outright on Matchday 1, with one match going into a penalty shootout.

Columbus Crew 3-1 Atlas FC

The 2026 Leagues Cup opener saw the Columbus Crew roll to a 3-1 victory over Atlas FC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Cesar Ruvalcaba opened the scoring for the MLS side with a header in the 28’. Sean Zawadzki doubled the advantage in the 45+2 with a header of his own.

Brais Méndez extended the lead in the 51’, capitalizing on a team effort when the Crew forced a takeaway.

The lone goal for Atlas came off a Zawadzki own goal in the 67’ when he deflected a cross into his net.

FC Cincinnati 3-1 CF Pachuca

FC Cincinnati defeated CF Pachuca 3-1 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

The Mexican side netted early when Adrian Alcaraz headed in a cross in the 8’.

FC Cincinnati responded through their captain Evander just ten minutes later as the Brazilian unleashed a sensational shot from distance for the equalizer.

The MLS side took the lead right before halftime when Pavel Bucha converted at the back post in the 39’.

In the 70’, Kenji Mboma Dem made a late run and finished with power from inside the box to help FC Cincinnati secure the three points.

Charlotte FC 3-0 Pumas UNAM

Charlotte FC defeated Pumas UNAM 3-0 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

Brandt Bronico scored the first goal of the match in the 27’ when a clearance in the box deflected off of him and into the back of the net.

Archie Goodwin doubled the lead for the hosts with a header in the 50’.

Seven minutes after subbing into the match, Tyger Smalls put a stamp on the victory as he converted a penalty kick in the 78’.

Minnesota United 1-2 FC Juárez

FC Juárez claimed a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.

The Mexican side struck first with a header by Guilherme Castilho in the 22’.

Minnesota United notched an equalizer in the 34’ as Tomás Chancalay muscled off a defender and bent in a left-footed curler.

Just four minutes later, the visitors jumped back ahead when Óscar Estupiñan fired home what would end up being the winning goal in the 38’.

Tigres UANL 1 (6) - (5) 1 Real Salt Lake

Tigres UANL and Real Salt Lake tied 1-1, with the Mexican club securing the additional point in penalties, at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, USA.

Juan Brunetta opened the scoring in the 6’ for Tigres after Rodrigo Aguirre headed a ball across the box to set up a tap-in.

The MLS side responded with an equalizer in the 16’ as Pablo Ruiz struck a laser from the edge of the box for his first goal since 2023.

Tigres converted all six of its penalties in the shootout, while Zach Booth’s miss for Real Salt Lake was decisive.

Vancouver Whitecaps 0-1 Atlante

Atlante secured a 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The lone goal was scored by Jhojan Julio in the 40’ as he struck a shot off the post and in for the Mexican club making its Leagues Cup debut.