MLS clubs collect three wins in Leagues Cup Matchday 4 action
Charlotte FC, Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati earned three points on Matchday 4, while Tigres UANL claimed the additional point in a penalty shootout.
Miami - Leagues Cup 2026 continued Friday with five matches as part of Phase One. The Concacaf-sanctioned competition pits MLS and Liga MX clubs, as they battle for the regional crown and three spots in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Three MLS clubs and one Liga MX side secured three points outright on Matchday 4, with one match going into a penalty shootout.
Charlotte FC 2-0 Atlas FC
Charlotte FC shut out Atlas FC, claiming a 2-0 win at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
The MLS side broke the deadlock in the 78’ when Liel Abada tapped in a cross from Tyger Smalls.
Smalls then secured the three points for Charlotte FC with a final goal in the 90+5’.
Columbus Crew 2-1 CF Pachuca
Columbus Crew defeated CF Pachuca 2-1 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Newcomer Brais Méndez opened the scoring in the 19’ with a scissor kick, marking his third goal in as many games for the club.
Dániel Gazdag extended the lead in the 45+3’ with a header from close range.
The Mexican side cut into the deficit when Oussama Idrissi scored a header of his own in the 72’. However, they were reduced to ten men just two minutes later when Sergio Barreto received his second yellow card, and were unable to find an equalizer.
FC Cincinnati 2-0 Pumas UNAM
FC Cincinnati shut out Pumas UNAM 2-0 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Pavel Bucha’s left-footed strike from the middle of the box in the 45+1’ put Cincinnati in the lead.
With Pumas pushing for the equalizer, it was the MLS side that would go on to score the next goal, sealing the win in the 90+3’ when Kenji Mboma Dem finished a clinical counter-attack with a powerful strike.
Tigres UANL 0 (4) - (2) 0 Minnesota United FC
Tigres UANL and Minnesota United FC tied 0-0, with the Liga MX club securing the additional point in penalties, at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
After some solid defensive efforts to keep the match scoreless in regulation, Nahuel Guzmán came up with a pair of massive saves in the shootout to keep Tigres’ hopes of advancing alive.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-3 FC Juárez
FC Juárez outlasted Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-1 at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Whitecaps got on the board first as Jeevan Badwal’s first-time effort found the back of the net in the 12’.
FC Juárez leveled it in the 34’ when Ettson Ayón ran behind the defense and fired home the equalizer.
The Mexican side took the lead in the 78’ as Óscar Estupiñán finished a breakaway with a strong shot.
FC Juárez secured the three points the 90+6’ when Ricardo António forced a takeaway and fired a shot from near midfield that sailed over the keeper and into the back of the net.
