Chicago Fire FC meet reigning LIGA MX champions Cruz Azul on Thursday, with both clubs eyeing a Leagues Cup quarterfinal spot.

How to watch & stream

• Apple TV

When

• Thursday, Aug. 13 | 9 pm ET/6 pm PT

Where

• SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Illinois

In Phase One, each team plays three matches against opponents from the opposite league. The top four clubs from each league-specific table advance to the quarterfinals.

The tournament champion will be crowned on Sept. 6. Additionally, the top three finishers qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Leagues Cup tickets

Standings

• 3rd in LIGA MX Leagues Cup table
• 6 points (2W-0L-0D)

Last match

La Máquina have two wins in as many Leagues Cup matches, most recently topping New York City FC, 2-1, behind goals from Agustín Palavecino and José Paradela. 

Paradela also scored the lone tally in Cruz Azul's Phase One opener, a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union. 

Players to watch

• Érik Lira: Cruz Azul's captain and midfield general featured prominently during Mexico's run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
• José Paradela: La Máquina's top scorer during their 2026 Clausura championship also leads the club with two goals in Leagues Cup.
• Omar Campos: The former LAFC fullback represented LIGA MX at the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime.
• Carlos Rodríguez: Cruz Azul's assist leader in the 2026 Apertura provided the helper for Paradela's game-winner vs. NYCFC.

Need to know

One of Mexico's biggest clubs, Cruz Azul already have LIGA MX Clausura and Campeón de Campeones titles to their name this year. 

A win on Thursday would guarantee Los Cementeros a quarterfinal berth, pushing them one step closer to adding a first-ever Leagues Cup crown to their trophy case.

Standings

• 3rd in MLS Leagues Cup table
• 6 points (2W-0L-0D)

Last match

After beating Necaxa, 2-0, the Fire continued their positive momentum on Sunday by rallying for a 3-1 win over Santos Laguna. 

Ezequiel Bullaude opened the scoring for the visitors, who nearly pushed the game to penalty kicks. However, Chicago turned it around by scoring three straight late goals, courtesy of Philip Zinckernagel (72'), Robin Lod (90') and legendary Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (93'). 

Players to watch

• Robert Lewandowski: Chicago's blockbuster summer signing opened his Leagues Cup account on Sunday, building off his two goals in three MLS games.
• Philip Zinckernagel: The Danish midfielder has earned All-Star selections in each of his two seasons with the Fire.
• Chris Brady: The 22-year homegrown is among MLS's top goalkeepers and made the USMNT's 2026 World Cup squad.
• Joel Waterman: The two-time World Cup veteran with Canada has stepped into the defensive spotlight amid a season-ending injury to South African star Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Need to know

Chicago are dreaming big in their second season under head coach and director of football Gregg Berhalter, who last season guided the Fire to their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since 2017.

Now, the stakes and the ambitions grow higher for a club that made a massive statement of intent last month by signing Lewandowski.

Reaching the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, and possibly contending for their first-ever international trophy, would provide immediate proof of concept for Berhalter's project.