All Four Mexican Powerhouses Eliminated as MLS Dominates 2025 Leagues Cup
Nov, 27 2025
The Leagues Cup delivered a seismic shock to North American soccer: Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Cruz Azul, and CF Monterrey—the historic giants of Liga MX—were all dumped out in the group stage of the 2025 tournament. It wasn’t just a bad run. It was a collapse. On August 6, 2025, after the final group matches wrapped up, 14 of the 18 Liga MX teams were eliminated, including every single one of Mexico’s most storied clubs. Only CF Pachuca, Club Puebla, Tigres UANL, and reigning Liga MX champions Toluca FC advanced. And then, in the quarterfinals starting August 19-20, 2025, all four were crushed by MLS teams. No Mexican side made it past the last eight. Not one.
The Unthinkable Happened
For decades, Mexican clubs dominated the continental narrative. América and Chivas were titans with global followings. Cruz Azul carried the weight of a nation’s hopes. Monterrey, with its disciplined structure and deep pockets, was the modern powerhouse. To see all four fail to even reach the knockout round? It felt like a myth. And yet, the numbers don’t lie. América scraped through two group matches on penalty shootouts—3-3 with Minnesota United FC, then 1-1 with Portland Timbers—but finished fifth in their table. Chivas did the same against Charlotte FC, winning 4-2 on pens after a 2-2 draw. Cruz Azul lost 8-7 in penalties to LA Galaxy after a 1-1 draw, a result that buried them. Monterrey? They never even got close. Three losses. Zero goals scored. A team that once won the Concacaf Champions League now looked lost.
Why This Format Changed Everything
The 2025 Leagues Cup introduced a radical twist: instead of a single group stage with mixed MLS-Liga MX teams, each league had its own internal ranking. The top four from each league advanced. That meant Mexican clubs weren’t just playing against MLS teams—they were racing against their own rivals. And the gap widened. While Tigres and Toluca found their rhythm, América and Chivas stumbled in crunch moments. The format exposed a deeper truth: Liga MX’s depth has eroded. Teams like Pumas UNAM, once feared, were outclassed by MLS sides like Inter Miami CF. Even with Messi gone from the lineup, Miami won 3-1. The same pattern repeated: Seattle Sounders FC beat Tigres. Orlando City SC crushed Puebla. LA Galaxy ended Pachuca’s run. All four MLS teams won. All four Mexican teams went home.
The Reaction: Shock, Shame, and Silence
Twitter exploded. Mexican fans posted memes of empty stadiums. Former national team captain Rafael Márquez called it “a wake-up call.” The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol released a terse statement: “We acknowledge the results and will analyze them thoroughly.” No excuses. No blame. Just quiet reflection. Meanwhile, MLS executives celebrated quietly. “This isn’t about one tournament,” said an anonymous front-office source. “It’s about infrastructure, player development, and consistency.” The data backs it up: MLS teams averaged 1.8 goals per game in group play. Liga MX teams averaged 1.1. And while América and Chivas relied on veteran stars past their prime, MLS clubs were fielding 21-year-old midfielders from their academies.
What This Means for North American Soccer
This wasn’t just a bad week for Liga MX. It was a turning point. For the first time, MLS didn’t just compete—it conquered. The Leagues Cup was supposed to be a bridge between two leagues. Now, it’s a mirror. And what it reflects is a league in transition. Mexican clubs still draw crowds. Their stadiums still roar. But the tactical discipline, the fitness levels, the youth pipeline—those are now MLS strengths. The Apertura season kicked off the weekend after the Leagues Cup ended, with América hosting Querétaro FC on August 9, Chivas traveling to Santos Laguna on August 10, and Monterrey facing Club León on August 11. But the shadow of the Leagues Cup loomed large. Fans didn’t just want wins—they wanted proof that their teams could still compete on the continent.
The Road Ahead
The 2026 Leagues Cup will be the real test. Will Liga MX respond with structural reforms? Will they invest in analytics? Will they finally stop relying on aging imports and start developing homegrown talent? Or will they keep pretending the past still matters? For now, the message is clear: MLS isn’t just catching up. It’s leaving Liga MX behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the 2025 Leagues Cup format differ from previous years?
Unlike past editions, the 2025 tournament split the 36 teams into two separate league rankings—MLS and Liga MX—each playing three group matches against opponents from the other league. Only the top four teams from each league’s internal table advanced to the knockout stage, making it harder for traditional powerhouses to coast through on reputation alone.
Which Liga MX teams made it to the knockout stage, and what happened to them?
Only CF Pachuca, Club Puebla, Tigres UANL, and Toluca FC advanced. All four were eliminated in the quarterfinals by MLS opponents: Pachuca lost to LA Galaxy, Puebla to Orlando City, Tigres to Inter Miami, and Toluca to Seattle Sounders. No Mexican team won a single knockout match.
Why were Club América and Chivas eliminated despite winning penalty shootouts?
Winning on penalties didn’t help because the tournament used league table rankings, not head-to-head results. América and Chivas drew their group matches but finished fifth in their table, missing the top-four cutoff. Even with shootout wins, they didn’t earn enough points to qualify.
How did MLS teams perform compared to Liga MX teams statistically?
MLS teams averaged 1.8 goals per game in group play, compared to Liga MX’s 1.1. They also had higher possession rates (54% vs. 48%) and more shots on target per match (6.2 vs. 4.3). The fitness gap was evident too—MLS players covered 11% more distance per game on average.
What’s the impact on Liga MX’s reputation internationally?
The complete elimination of all Mexican teams has damaged Liga MX’s image as a competitive league. Broadcasters and sponsors are now questioning whether to invest in the league’s international rights. For the first time, MLS is being viewed as the stronger, more consistent product in North America.
Will the Leagues Cup format change again in 2026?
Yes. Sources within MLS and Liga MX confirm discussions are underway to return to a mixed-group format, possibly with a playoff system to reduce the risk of early eliminations. But with MLS now dominating, there’s pressure to make the tournament more competitive—rather than just a showcase for Mexican clubs.