HEAD-TO-HEAD
- First-ever meeting
- Record at Leagues Cup: Cincinnati (6-2), Juarez (4-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Cincinnati:
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Losses
- FC Juárez
- 1 Win, 3 Draws, 1 Loss
MAIN STORYLINES
- Juárez has won a phase one/group match against an MLS team in each of the last three League Cup editions.
- Juárez scored three goals in the first half against Charlotte, the first time he has done so since August 2023.
- Cincinnati is coming off a winning streak of seven of its last nine League Cup and MLS matches.
- Evander has done everything for Cincinnati this season, and in his first League Cup match with the club, he had a goal and two assists.
KEY FACTORS
- Cincinnati
- Evander has three goals and five assists in his six total League Cup appearances (the first five were with Portland).
- Evander has been sensational this season with Cincinnati, with 18 goals and 10 assists in 28 total games with the club since his arrival.
- FC Juárez
- Madson de Souza Silva scored two goals in the first 20 minutes of the match against Charlotte, and he could find the net again.
- Madson de Souza Silva earned his second brace in just 17 appearances for Juárez. He had only scored one brace in his entire career before joining Liga MX (that was in 2022 with Estrella Amadora).
WHAT TO EXPECT
One of the most exciting matchups of the day is undoubtedly Cincinnati vs. Juárez — two teams that looked in great form in their previous matches and earned significant wins in the opening round.
This game also brings the added intrigue of two Brazilian players enjoying excellent form: Evander da Silva and Madson de Souza Silva, who led their teams to victory on the first matchday of this Leagues Cup.
The MLS side decisively defeated Rayados de Monterrey, extending their unbeaten run to four games. Three of those wins have been impressive, helping keep them in second place in the Eastern Conference in their domestic competition.
For Pat Noonan's team, Brazilian midfielder Evander is coming off a spectacular performance against Monterrey, scoring a goal and providing two assists. He’ll be one to watch in this crucial match.
As for Juárez, they were the surprise of the first round, beating Charlotte 4-1 thanks to a strong showing by Brazilian Madson, who netted a brace.
Martín Varani's side hasn't recorded a win in the domestic tournament, but they showed impressive quality in the Leagues Cup opener. However, they know they're facing a tougher challenge this time around.
There are no previous meetings between these two clubs, making this their first-ever encounter — and both will be eager to set the tone and take control of the budding rivalry.
It's no secret: the team that secures three points will all but guarantee a spot in the next round. It’s all to play for.
