Leagues Cup 2026: Quarterfinal matchups, schedule info & who advanced | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

The Leagues Cup 2026 quarterfinal field is set after eight teams advanced from Phase One.

The quarterfinals will be played from Aug. 25-26, with four MLS clubs facing four LIGA MX sides for semifinal spots.

Quarterfinal matchups

Leagues Cup guide & info

Chicago Fire FC (MLS 1) vs. CF Monterrey (LMX 4)

One of Leagues Cup's hottest teams meets one of LIGA MX's traditional powers when Chicago Fire FC face CF Monterrey. The Fire took all nine points in Phase One, capped by a dramatic stoppage-time victory over Cruz Azul. The match will serve as a homecoming for striker Hugo Cuypers, who was transferred from Chicago to Rayados this summer following Robert Lewandowski's arrival.

Club León (LMX 1) vs. Real Salt Lake (MLS 4)

Club León enjoyed a perfect run through Phase One, while Real Salt Lake found another gear offensively with seven unanswered goals in their final two games. This matchup could have plenty of fireworks as RSL bring Diego Luna, Morgan Guilavogui and Sergi Solans up against LIGA MX's top seed. 

Austin FC (MLS 2) vs. Toluca FC (LMX 3)

Austin FC's Leagues Cup resurgence will face its toughest test yet against 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup winners Toluca FC. Myrto Uzuni's hot streak gives Austin reason for optimism, but they'll have their hands full against Alexis Vega, Jesús Gallardo & Co.

Club América (LIGA MX 2) vs. Columbus Crew (MLS 3)

There's plenty of recent history between Club América and the Columbus Crew, who met in the 2024 Campeones Cup and saw Las Águilas prevail on penalties. Columbus are pursuing a second Leagues Cup title in three years, after winning the tournament in 2024, and have Brais Méndez leading the way against ex-LAFC star Brian Rodríguez.

MLS - QUALIFIERS

1. Chicago Fire FC

Phase One: 9 points, 3W-OL-0D, +5 GD

Chicago cruised to the quarterfinals with a perfect record, continuing an impressive 2026 campaign for Gregg Berhalter's side.

The Fire capped their unbeaten run by scoring a stoppage-time winner to defeat Cruz Azul, 2-1, at SeatGeek Stadium.

With Chicago also enjoying a strong MLS season and recently completing the blockbuster signing of Polish international legend Robert Lewandowski, momentum is building.

2. Austin FC

Phase One: 8 points, 2W-0L-1D, +5 GD

Austin FC went unbeaten through Phase One to secure their place in the quarterfinals, despite an up-and-down MLS campaign. 

Myrto Uzuni has a joint tournament-best four goals, delivering a hat trick during Austin's 3-0 win over Club Puebla, then scoring a crucial equalizer in their 1-1 draw against Club América to secure advancement. 

Can Uzuni's fellow DPs, Facundo Torres and Brandon Vazquez, find their stride as well?

3. Columbus Crew

Phase One: 8 points, 2W-0L-1D, +3 GD

Columbus went unbeaten in Phase One behind standout performances from recent DP arrival Brais Méndez, who netted a goal contribution (2g/1a) in each match.

The Crew opened with a victory over Atlas before serving up some Concacaf Champions Cup revenge in their win against Pachuca.

They closed out Phase One with a 1-1 draw against Pumas UNAM, earning the extra point with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory, as goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen made the decisive save.

4. Real Salt Lake

Phase One: 7 points, 2W-0L-1D, +7 GD

After opening Phase One with a 1-1 draw against Tigres UANL, then falling in the ensuing penalty-kick shootout, RSL responded with back-to-back blowout victories to punch their quarterfinal ticket.

Pablo Mastroeni's side cruised past Atlante FC 4-0 before routing FC Juárez, 3-0, leaving them with seven points and a +7 goal differential.

This comes as homegrown winger Zavier Gozo will reportedly join English Premier League side Crystal Palace for around a $15 million transfer fee.

LIGA MX - QUALIFIERS

1. Club León

Phase One: 9 points, 3W-0L-OD, +3 GD

Club León booked their quarterfinal ticket with a perfect run through Phase One, winning all three of their matches and seeing Colombian striker Daniel Arcila score four of their six goals.

León started by downing MLS Supporters' Shield leaders Nashville SC before defeating Antoine Griezmann and Orlando City.

They then earned a dramatic win over Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF, eliminating the 2023 Leagues Cup champions from the tournament.

2. Club América

Phase One: 7 points, 2W-0L-1D, +4 GD

One of LIGA MX's most storied clubs, Club América advanced to the quarterfinals after going unbeaten in regulation time during Phase One. 

Las Águilas opened with back-to-back 3-1 victories over San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers before drawing Austin FC, 1-1, and falling in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Former LAFC star Brian Rodríguez recorded 2g/2a in América's first two matches. Club América also recently acquired midfielder Edwin Cerrillo from the LA Galaxy.

3. Toluca FC

Phase One: 6 points, 2W-1L-0D, +4 GD

The top-ranked team in Phase One, courtesy of their 2025 LIGA MX Clausura, Apertura and Campeón de Campeones titles, Toluca secured their quarterfinal berth via a pair of convincing victories during Phase One.

Los Diablos Rojos opened the tournament with a dominant win over reigning champions Seattle Sounders FC before suffering a late defeat to LAFC.

Toluca bounced back with a 3-1 victory over FC Dallas to clinch their spot, with Uruguay international Federico Viñas finding the net in both victories.

4. Club de Fútbol Monterrey Rayados, A.C.

Phase One: 6 points, 2W-1L-0D, +1 GD

CF Monterrey overcame an opening defeat to Orlando City to earn their quarterfinal spot, securing consecutive 2-1 victories over two of MLS's top sides in Inter Miami and Nashville.

Monterrey ultimately advanced on the goals-scored tiebreaker after finishing level with Cruz Azul on points, goal differential and regulation wins.

Along the way, former Chicago Fire striker Hugo Cuypers scored three goals and former Columbus Crew star Diego Rossi contributed 1g/1a. Both attackers left MLS in big-money transfers this summer.