The Columbus Crew meet one of LIGA MX's most storied clubs when they face Club América in the Leagues Cup 2026 quarterfinals on Wednesday evening.
How to watch & stream
- Apple TV
- UniMás/TUDN, FS1
When
- Wednesday, Aug. 26 | 10:45 pm ET/7:45 pm PT
Where
- Dignity Health Sports Park | Carson, California
The winner advances to face CF Monterrey or Chicago Fire FC in the Leagues Cup semifinals, which are held Sept. 1-2.
The tournament champion will be crowned on Sept. 6. Additionally, the top three finishers qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Standings
- 2nd in Leagues Cup LIGA MX table
- 7 points (2W-0L-1D)
Phase One
Club América went unbeaten in regulation time during Phase One.
They started with consecutive 3-1 victories over San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers, then settled for a 1-1 draw at Austin FC before falling in the subsequent penalty shootout.
Players to watch
- Brian Rodríguez: The Uruguay international and former LAFC star delivered 2g/1a during Phase One.
- Henry Martín: The longtime captain and Mexican international has scored 120 goals across all competitions for Las Águilas.
- Israel Reyes: The Mexican international defender featured four times for El Tri at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping power a run to the Round of 16.
Need to know
Club América are Mexico's all-time winningest club, lifting a record 16 league titles.
That success has carried over to the continental stage, with a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup titles alongside Cruz Azul.
Now, as head coach Guillermo Almada settles in, can Club América add a Leagues Cup title to their lavish trophy case?
Standings
- 3rd in Leagues Cup MLS table
- 8 points (2W-0L-1D)
Phase One
Columbus enjoyed an unbeaten Phase One, defeating Atlas (3-1) and Pachuca (2-1) before drawing Pumas UNAM (1-1) and earning the extra point with a penalty shootout victory.
Summer DP signing Brais Méndez made an immediate impact, recording 2g/1a while adding a goal contribution in each match.
Players to watch
- Brais Méndez: The Spanish midfielder and LaLiga alum is readily showing his quality on and off the ball.
- Daniel Gazdag: The Hungarian international is in his first full season with the Crew after a distinguished run with the Philadelphia Union.
- Steven Moreira: The 2024 MLS Defender of the Year starred in Cape Verde's Cinderella run to the 2026 World Cup knockout stages.
Need to know
Columbus are looking to recapture the Leagues Cup magic that carried them to the 2024 title after defeating LAFC in the final.
This year's run comes amid significant turnover. The Crew transferred Diego Rossi to Monterrey this summer, replacing him with Méndez before recently adding MLS legend Josef Martínez to bolster their attack for the stretch run.
All the while, they're led by interim coach Laurent Courtois after parting ways with Henrik Rydström in mid-May.
