Leagues Cup: MLS dominates, Mexican teams sent packing

This season’s Leagues Cup champion will carry a U.S. passport. Inter Miami, Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, and Orlando City advanced to the semifinals after knocking out Tigres, Pachuca, Puebla, and Toluca, respectively, in the quarterfinals. As a result, MLS prevails and Mexico is left without representation.

Inter Miami overcame Tigres (2-1) in the most outstanding match of the quarterfinals. Without their star player, Leo Messi, on the field due to injury, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez sent the Florida side through to the next round with two penalty goals.

Argentine player Ángel Correa—top scorer, to date, in the competition—was the scorer of the only goal for the Mexican team.

In the semifinals, Inter Miami will face Orlando City on August 27, which edged Toluca (0-0) in a penalty shootout after the 90 minutes ended goalless.

The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Pachuca by the narrowest of margins (2-1). The Americans got their two goals in the first half of the match: the first was an own goal by Mexican Alonso Aceves and the second was scored by German Marco Reus.

Pachuca did not manage to open their account until the final stages of the match. Their only goal was scored by Brazilian striker Alemao.

Their opponent in the penultimate round of the competition will be the Seattle Sounders, who managed to advance after beating Puebla in a penalty shootout. The regulation time ended goalless (0-0). The clash between the two MLS teams will be played on August 27.

The four U.S. teams that qualify for the semifinals will seek to succeed Columbus Crew as Leagues Cup champions.