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Adam Booker·14 August 2024
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Adam Booker·14 August 2024
The Leagues Cup round-of-16 was one to remember as we saw giants crash out, stunning comebacks, and plenty more. Let's dig into what went down Tuesday evening.
The tone was set in Columbus when the Crew came roaring back against Miami in the marquee matchup of the evening. Columbus erased a two-goal deficit in the final 25 minutes of the match to send the tournament holders packing.
Staying in Ohio, Cincinnati had appeared to pull off a stunning comeback like their rivals, pulling it back against Philadelphia after being two goals won themselves. However, the Union regained a two goal lead rapidly, sending Pat Noonan's side out in front of their own fans.
After Philly's impressive win, Mexican giants began to fall. The 10 men of Cruz Azul were the first to crash out despite fighting back against Mazatlán to force penalties, but the Liga MX leaders missed three of their four spot-kicks and fell at the hands of their domestic rivals.
The giant-killings continued as NYCFC turned around an early deficit to stun Tigres in New Jersey. The in-form Santi Rodriguez lead the Pigeons to quarter-finals with a late winner.
Out west, the Colorado Rapids needed a stroke of luck at the death to fend off Toluca and book their spot in the next round in dramatic fashion.
Unlike Tigres and Cruz Azul before them, Club América avoided being on the receiving end of a giant-killing, digging themselves out of a second-half hole to find a way past St. Louis City.
And finally, LAFC thumped California rivals San Jose 4-1 on the night when Olivier Giroud made his debut in front of the Black and Gold faithful at BMO Stadium.
With goal number 4️⃣, Denis Bouanga may have just sent @LAFC to the Quarterfinals! #LeaguesCup2024–
Paulinho, take a bow!
It's always a great moment when a bonafide star makes his debut. Now that Olivier Giroud has taken the pitch for the Black and Gold, the former France star became the fifth World Cup winner to have appeared in the Leagues Cup in its current form. Giroud joined Thiago Almada, Sergio Busquets, Hugo Lloris, and Lionel Mess on that list.
The bracket is set once again! Only eight teams remain and the competition is getting better and better with each passing night.
The quarter-finals will kick off this weekend, with all four games playing out on Saturday.
Image: © John Jones-USA TODAY Sports