HOUSTON 0, ATLAS 1
(Shell Energy Stadium)
Atlas FC and Houston Dynamo FC took each other to the limit in a 1-0 contest that gave the Guadalajara club its first three points of the tournament on Saturday, at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
Atlas’ victory on Matchday 2 of the 2024 Leagues Cup was LIGA MX’s first victory in the tournament — which featured five total matches, but only two LIGA MX clubs on Matchday 1.
Rivaldo Lozano struck a beauty from outside the box in the 83rd minute to end what had been a goalkeeping showcase from Houston’s Steve Clark and Atlas’ Camilo Vargas. The two shot-stoppers combined for 13 saves, but penalties would not be needed on this night.
NEW ENGLAND 1, MAZATLÁN 0
(Gillette Stadium)
The New England Revolution earned their first win of the Leagues Cup 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Mazatlán at Gillette Stadium, thanks to a goal by Jack Panayotou. With the win, the Revs are currently in first place in group East 5.
PUEBLA 0, MIAMI 2
(Chase Stadium)
No Lionel Messi, no problem for Inter Miami CF.
Miami’s title defense is off to an impeccable start with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Club Puebla in the 2024 Leagues Cup opener at Chase Stadium to maintain the club’s perfect record in the tournament.
Miami’s starting lineup incorporated a couple of exciting inclusions: the club debut of center back David Martinez and the Leagues Cup debut of legendary Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez — who needed his knee inflammation evaluated “up to the last minute” according to head coach Tata Martino, eventually passing the necessary tests to earn the starting nod.
PHILADELPHIA 1, CHARLOTTE 0
(Subaru Park)
The Philadelphia Union and Charlotte FC met for the third time in two months to open group East 4 play in the 2024 Leagues Cup. With all the familiarity between both teams, one could have expected scoring chances would be fleeting.
And that was exactly what occurred on a clear night at Subaru Park as the Union defeated Charlotte, 1-0.
NEW YORK 0 (4), TORONTO 0 (5)
(Red Bull Arena)
This is exactly how rivalry games are played.
It was a hard-fought encounter on Saturday with a lot at stake early in the Leagues Cup as the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC battled until the end, with Toronto standing tallest to win after a 90-minute tie at Red Bull Arena.
It was The Reds goalkeeper who shined: Sean Johnson saved two penalty shots to secure two points and lead group East 6.
ST. LOUIS 2, DALLAS 1
(CITYPARK)
The opening match of this year’s West 3 group in Leagues Cup between St. Louis CITY SC and FC Dallas was full of intense moments, featuring three goals, six yellow cards, and an atmosphere reminiscent of an elimination match on Saturday at CITYPARK. Ultimately, St, Louis squeaked out a 2-1 win in front of the home crowd.
Both teams were missing key figures in their starting lineups: FC Dallas was without Jesús Ferreira and Alan Velasco, while CITY SC was missing João Klauss, a cornerstone of its squad.
These two teams had already met twice this season, and it showed in a high-intensity clash between two potent offenses. Each team’s interim head coach aimed to make their mark on the match, with both sides having relieved their previous coaches before the Leagues Cup.
GUADALAJARA 1 (3), SAN JOSE 1 (4)
(Levi's Stadium)
The San Jose Earthquakes played spoiler in Cade Cowell’s hometown return as their 1-1 penalty shootout victory over Chivas Guadalajara continued Major League Soccer’s domination of LIGA MX teams early in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
The 50,675 fans in attendance at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday night set a Leagues Cup record with Chivas fans traveling from across Northern California to create a home atmosphere in the Bay Area along with Earthquakes fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their former star.
