The 2025 Leagues Cup is over for Liga MX after the remaining four teams bowed out of the competition Wednesday night. It was a disappointing night for Mexican teams who should have performed better but ultimately they fell short. This means that for the third year in a row an MLS team will win the Leagues Cup. Here’s a summary of how the teams performed.
Toluca vs. Orlando City
Toluca are the reigning champions of Liga MX so many expected more from the current champions. However, this scoreline was
predictable considering the conditions in which the game was played. Both Toluca and Orlando had to fly all the way to Los Angeles to play at Dignity Health Sports Park as it was chosen as the venue because it was considered a neutral site. This didn’t make sense because both teams had to travel hundreds of miles. Toluca had to travel from the South of Mexico while Orlando had to travel from the other side of the country. That was a lot of miles with little rest in between for the players. Regardless, Toluca should’ve performed better than they did. They maintained possession throughout the game but unless something is done with that, it doesn’t matter. They were lucky that Orlando’s goal in the first half was called back because they were getting beaten by the MLS side. Toluca was able to take the game to penalties but it was there where they fell. For a team who won a championship trophy just a few months ago, Toluca left much to be desired.
Tigres vs. Inter Miami
Tigres has a roster full of talent with players peaking at the right moment but not even that was enough to move on. They gave their best squad while Miami was missing their big star after it was announced that Lionel Messi would miss the game due to injury. Still this wasn’t enough to help Tigres get through as their defense made critical mistakes with two penalties that helped Miami advance. This game was also filled with controversy as Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was given a red card before the end of the first half. Mascherano was then seen in the stands on his cellphone talking to, reportedly, his assistant and giving him instructions, which is prohibited. The Athletic then reached out to the Leagues Cup for clarification of this situation to which they replied, “The Inter Miami head coach was located in a space designated according to the tournament regulations. Cellphone communications are not prohibited per Leagues Cup regulations in this instance.” However, the official Leagues Cup rules state otherwise. “Using unauthorized electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an inappropriate manner as a result of using electronic or communication: 1 to 3 match suspension.” Whatever the rules are, this does not help the rumors that say Inter Miami and Messi adhere to different rules compared to others.
You can read more about the game in Rafael’s game summary here.
Pachuca vs. LA Galaxy
Pachuca has had success in their domestic league but were unable to recreate that same success in this tournament. In the quarterfinals they faced an LA Galaxy who have turned things around this tournament after a horrific domestic league season. The Galaxy have only won three games over a stretch of 27 games and sit last in the Western Conference and last in the league. Almost everyone predicted they would bow out in the group stage but they were able to secure their spot in the semifinals. This tournament has been exactly what they need. It won’t be enough to get them into the playoffs but they can end the season on a high. Meanwhile Pachuca has had success in Liga MX but competitions have been an entirely other thing. In the Club World Cup they failed in the group stage and in the Leagues Cup they were able to reach the quarterfinals but had a terrible game. They allowed two goals in the first half and that was what did it. An own goal in the 27th minute put them down a goal but then another goal 10 minutes later made matters worse. Pachuca maintained possession but that did not help as they couldn’t seem to score a goal to save their lives. They at least didn’t leave without a goal as Alemão scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time. This tournament has been the opposite of both teams’ league seasons. Pachuca will head home with their heads down while the LA Galaxy has a chance to win a trophy in the middle of their worst season yet.
Puebla vs. Seattle Sounders
Puebla was the underdog and were close to advancing but ultimately fell short in penalties. Considering how Puebla is currently in turmoil, they performed well in this tournament. Former head coach Pablo Guede resigned on August 15, 2025 due to poor results. Just a couple of months prior the Sporting Director Angel Catalina left the club but this shakeup did nothing to help the team as they sit in 17th place with only one win so far this season. Martin Bravo was named the interim coach and in his first game in charge he almost got his side through to the semifinals but they ultimately fell in penalties. It was an incredible feat they even got the game to penalties considering how Seattle dominated the game. The Sounders should have ended the game a long time ago but the Puebla defense held firm. For a team that has been in disarray for a while now, they performed well in the Leagues Cup when other ‘grandes’ did not.
