Leagues Cup 2025: Thrilling Penalty Shootouts and Mexican Club Resurgence

Leagues Cup 2025 has thrilled soccer fans across North America, bringing together the top teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX in a high-stakes international tournament. With a new format that includes competitive midweek matches and dramatic penalty shootouts, the tournament has delivered unforgettable moments. Two notable group-stage matches—Guadalajara vs. Charlotte FC and Cruz Azul vs. LA Galaxy—illustrate the intensity and skill of this year’s competition. Let’s take a look at the highlights, key moments, and the significance of these results for the tournament.

Guadalajara vs. Charlotte FC: Penalty Shootout Victory

In a Leagues Cup 2025 group-stage encounter, Guadalajara (Chivas) faced Charlotte FC, tied 2-2 through 90 minutes and going to a decisive penalty shootout. Chivas won the shootout 4-2, securing two crucial points to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Shootout Thriller: Chivas Overcomes Own Goal Blunder to Triumph Over Charlotte

• Chivas' early setback: Charlotte took the lead in the 11th minute when Guadalajara’s Gilberto Sepúlveda scored an inadvertent own goal, forcing Chivas to retreat.

• Chivas' comeback: American-born midfielder Richie Ledezma equalized the score in the 24th minute, showcasing Chivas' offensive depth. In the 66th minute, Brian Gonzalez scored a header off a superb cross to give Guadalajara a 2-1 lead.

• Charlotte's persistence: Despite losing star striker Pep Biel to injury in the 32nd minute, Charlotte scored a late equalizer, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

• Shootout drama: Guadalajara composure in the shootout proved costly for Charlotte, which faltered under pressure and missed two attempts. Chivas' goalkeeper and penalty takers kept composure and secured the extra point.

Impact

The win highlighted Guadalajara's tenacity and ability to compete against MLS teams, despite early defensive mistakes. For Charlotte FC, this loss, combined with Beal's injury, ultimately knocked them out of the group stage, underlining their good odds in Leagues Cup competition.

Cruz Azul vs LA Galaxy: Goalkeeper's masterclass in penalties

On August 4, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, Cruz Azul and LA Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw, with Cruz Azul winning 8-7 in a thrilling penalty shootout. The match featured a display of individual brilliance and tactical discipline, with Cruz Azul's goalkeeper stealing the show.

LA Galaxy's Comeback Falls Short as Cruz Azul Wins Epic 9-Round Shootout

Cruz Azul's First Attack: In the 21st minute, Carlos Rodríguez scored off a precise assist from Carlos Rotondi to give Cruz Azul a 1–0 lead, silencing the home crowd.
LA Galaxy's reply: LA Galaxy's in-form winger Gabriel Pech continued his scoring spree with an 81st-minute equaliser - his third in three consecutive matches.
Heroic performance in penalty shootout: The match went to a penalty shootout, where both teams remained spotless through seven rounds. In the eighth and ninth rounds, Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Meier made consecutive saves against LA Galaxy's Edwin Cerrillo and Emil Garces to secure an 8-7 win and an extra point.

Impact

Cruz Azul's shootout win proved to be a redemption after their 7-0 loss to Seattle Sounders in the group-stage opener. The result has kept their knockout stage hopes alive. For LA Galaxy, after earning a point, they now have four points in the group, and now have a crucial match coming up against Santos Laguna on August 7, 2025.

Mexican Resurgence: New Rules Fuel Leagues Cup Drama

The Concacaf-sanctioned Leagues Cup tournament pits MLS and Liga MX clubs against each other in a World Cup-style format. In 2025, the tournament made significant changes:

• No month-long break: Matches are now incorporated into the regular league schedule, and matches will be held in midweek to keep pace.

• Penalty shootout rule: Group-stage matches that end in a draw after 90 minutes earn each team one point, and an additional point from a penalty shootout. This rule has added drama, as seen in the Guadalajara and Cruz Azul matches.

• Competitive stakes: The tournament provides a pathway to the Concacaf Champions League, making every point crucial to advancing to the knockout rounds.

• Mexican clubs such as Guadalajara and Cruz Azul have historically faced challenges in the Leagues Cup, where MLS teams often dominate due to home advantage and squad depth. However, the Mexican team is showing signs of a resurgence in the 2025 edition, with a penalty shootout win highlighting their tactical adaptability.

Tactical Breakdown: The Players and Moments that Defined Leagues Cup Drama

• Guadalajara : Richie Ledezma's versatility and Brian Gonzalez's aerial prowess were decisive. Chivas' ability to recover from an early own goal shows their mental toughness, a hallmark of their Liga MX heritage.

• Cruz Azul : Kevin Meier's penalty-saving heroics underlined the importance of goalkeeping in pressure moments. Carlos Rodriguez's early goal showed Cruz Azul's offensive intent, although they struggled earlier in the group-stage.

• LA Galaxy : Gabriel Paque's consistent scoring and Josef Paintsil's physicality make them a strong team. Their 4-1-1 home record at Dignity Health Sports Park reflects their strength in California.

• Charlotte FC : The loss of Pep Biel early in the match upset their game plan, exposing their reliance on key players. Their misses in the shootout highlight the need for better preparation in crucial moments.

Leagues Cup: The Rivalry, The Drama, The Shootouts

The group stage will continue to feature high-stakes matches, including LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna on August 7, 2025. Other notable results include Monterrey's 5-3 penalty shootout win over New York Red Bulls and FC Juarez's tiebreaker win against FC Cincinnati, a sign of the competitive balance between MLS and Liga MX.

For fans, the Leagues Cup presents a unique blend of cross-league rivalries, with penalty shootouts adding to the unpredictability. Platforms like the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and apps like SofaScore provide live scores, stats, and highlights, keeping fans connected to every moment.

Why does the Leagues Cup excite soccer fans

Leagues Cup 2025 is more than a tournament—it's a celebration of the evolution of North American soccer. Matches like Guadalajara vs. Charlotte FC and Cruz Azul vs. LA Galaxy highlight the passion, skill, and drama that characterize this competition. Whether it's a goalkeeper's save in a penalty shootout or a last-minute equalizer, these moments keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Stay tuned for more updates as the group stage concludes and the knockout rounds approach. For real-time scores and highlights, visit the official Leagues Cup platform or follow your favorite teams on social media.