Background on Teams and Players
The León, led by Colombian midfielder James Rodríguez, who missed a crucial penalty, faced elimination from the Leagues Cup 2025 after a 2-0 loss to New York City FC in the second group stage match. The Costa Rican forward Alonso Martínez scored a goal and provided an assist, leaving La Fiera with only one point remaining in the group stage.
New York City FC’s Urgency
New York City FC entered the match desperate for a win after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Puebla in the tournament’s opening round. The Leagues Cup pits 36 Mexican and MLS clubs against each other in US and Canadian stadiums.
León’s Struggles
León struggled to control the ball and rarely threatened New York City FC’s goal, failing to create many scoring opportunities. In the second half, León had a chance to reduce the deficit when Matt Freese saved Rodríguez’s penalty, who had a quiet game with few attacking chances.
Columbus Crew Secures Victory
Columbus Crew, the defending champions, defeated Puebla 3-1 and now has four points, placing them firmly in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Columbus Crew’s Dominant Performance
Columbus took control of the match with two goals in quick succession: first, a goal by Danish player Malte Amundsen at the 14-minute mark, followed by Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi’s cool finish inside the area. Argentine player Andrés Herrera added a third goal before halftime.
Puebla’s Resilience
Despite the loss, Puebla, managed by Argentine coach Pablo Guede, remains in contention for a quarterfinal spot after their 3-0 victory over New York City FC in the first round.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the teams involved in the Leagues Cup 2025? The tournament features 36 clubs from Mexico’s Liga MX and Major League Soccer (MLS) playing in stadiums across the United States and Canada.
- Why was New York City FC desperate for a win? They lost their opening match 3-0 against Puebla and needed a victory to stay in contention for advancing in the tournament.
- Who are the key players mentioned in this article? James Rodríguez (León), Alonso Martínez (New York City FC), Malte Amundsen (Columbus Crew), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), Andrés Herrera (Columbus Crew), and Pablo Guede (Puebla’s manager).
- What is the significance of the Leagues Cup? The Leagues Cup is an annual tournament that brings together top clubs from Mexico’s Liga MX and the MLS, promoting cross-border competition and fostering a stronger relationship between the two leagues.
