🔬 The Debrief on Monday’s drama-packed Leagues Cup action

The Leagues Cup group stage is all but wrapped up and the knockout fixtures are beginning to take shape, but there are still some final loose-ends to tie up.

Let’s take a look at what went down around the tournament on Monday night.

What happened

Aug 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo FC forward Ezequiel Ponce (10) celebrates scoring a goal during the first half against Real Salt Lake at Shell Enegry Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

The tone was set in the early game of the evening as four goals from four different FC Cincinnati substitutes blew away NYCFC in the final 15 minutes of the showdown at TQL, seeing Pat Noonan’s side win the group in stunning style.

Meanwhile, Houston made a real statement in their group with Atlas and Real Salt Lake, thumping the Salt Lake City outfit 3-0 to win the group on goal difference and send their opponents on the night crashing out of the competition in the progress.

Toluca stormed into Kansas City and finished off their impressive showing in West Group 4 with a win at Children’s Mercy Park, though SKC will join them in the knockout rounds.

Finally, a dramatic Rapids equalizer at the death sent Colorado and León to penalty-kicks after a weather delay at the beginning of the night. Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen came up huge for his side in the shootout, sending his side through in dramatic fashion.

Goal of the night

It may have come in a loss, but you just can’t look away from Stephen Afrifa‘s stunner in first-half stoppage time.

Player of the night

When you only have 25 minutes to come on and make an impact in a game your side trails 2-0, and you lead a four-goal scoring spree in 10 minutes to pull off an improbable comeback, that’s enough to win player of the night.

Stat of the night

A bad omen…

What this means

With the group stage done bar one more game tomorrow evening, the knockout rounds are on our doorstep. Yet we have to continue to look back at the disparity between the MLS and Liga MX sides in the tournament so far. After Monday’s results, all but four of the 15 groups were topped by an MLS club.

What comes next

The group stage will finally meet its conclusion Tuesday evening when New England takes on Nashville. The Tennessee outfit will need a result to sneak into the knockout rounds.

Image: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports