That said, Guillermo Hoyos’ attacking options are once again depleted by significant absences. It is worth noting that Luis Suarez will also miss this crucial game as he is still serving a six-match suspension.

With that in mind, this is the probable starting XI that the manager will field as he looks to secure qualification for the next round: Rocco Rios Novo; Facundo Mura, Ian Fray or Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Sergio Reguillon; Yannick Bright, Rodrigo de Paul, Casemiro, Telasco Segovia, Daniel Pinter, Lovens Delinois.

How do Inter Miami and Club Leon enter this match?

Heading into Matchday 3 of the 2026 Leagues Cup, Club Leon arrive in commanding position after securing consecutive victories in Phase One, most recently a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC, leaving them top of the standings with six points and a chance to lock up a Quarterfinal berth.

In contrast, Inter Miami enter in a high-stakes, must-win situation; after a 4-2 opening victory over Atletico de San Luis, the Herons suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to CF Monterrey courtesy of a 90th-minute winner.

Avoiding their first group-stage elimination

Inter Miami have never been eliminated in the group stage of the Leagues Cup. In the tournament’s inaugural expanded format in 2023, Lionel Messi and the Herons swept through the group stage and went on to win the entire competition.

They successfully sustained that streak through the 2024 and 2025 editions, navigating the opening phase to reach the knockout rounds and preserving a flawless record of progression past the group stage in every tournament appearance.

How to watch Columbus Crew vs Pumas UNAM in the USA

Columbus Crew vs. Pumas UNAM will be available to stream live on Apple TV in the U.S. The 2026 Leagues Cup is included with an Apple TV subscription, and MLS confirms that every match in the tournament is available on the platform.

Can I watch Columbus Crew vs Pumas UNAM for free?

Yes, eligible new Apple TV subscribers can watch Columbus Crew vs. Pumas UNAM through the seven-day free trial. Apple’s current MLS page advertises seven days free, followed by a $12.99-per-month subscription.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Columbus Crew are one result away from securing their place in the 2026 Leagues Cup knockout rounds, while Pumas UNAM have already been eliminated from the competition.

Columbus enters Tuesday’s final Phase One match with six points after opening the tournament with a 3-1 win over Atlas and following it with a 2-1 victory over Pachuca. They are unbeaten in regulation in the tournament and sit Top 5 of the MLS-specific table heading into the final matchday.

Their latest victory also continued an impressive run for Brais Mendez, who scored for the third consecutive match since joining Columbus from Real Sociedad. The Spanish midfielder opened the scoring against Pachuca before setting up Daniel Gazdag‘s stoppage-time winner from a corner.

Columbus is the 2024 Leagues Cup champion, and another strong performance against Pumas would give the club a chance to return to the knockout rounds and compete for another title.

Pumas, meanwhile, arrive in Columbus with no points from their first two matches and are officially eliminated. The Liga MX side lost 3-0 to Charlotte FC in its opening game before suffering a 2-0 defeat against FC Cincinnati on August 8.

Their own official report noted that their -5 goal difference and lack of points meant that even a victory in Columbus would not be enough to advance, while MLS officially listed Pumas among the eliminated teams on August 10.

Columbus Crew vs Pumas UNAM: Predicted Lineups

Columbus Crew (3-4-2-1): Patrick Schulte; Cesar Ruvalcaba, Rudy Camacho, Steven Moreira; Malte Amundsen, Andre Gomes, Tarun Karumanchi, Mohamed Farsi; Daniel Gazdag, Taha Habroune; Brais Mendez.

Pumas UNAM (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Alvaro Angulo, Angel Azuaje, Nathan Silva, Tony Leone; Victor Arteaga, Pedro Vite, Adalberto Carrasquilla; Luciano Herrera, Juninho Vieira, Rodrigo Lopez.

What time is the Columbus Crew vs Pumas UNAM match?

The Columbus Crew vs. Pumas UNAM match kicks off on Tuesday, August 11, at 7:30 PM ET. The game will be played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. The Crew’s official announcement confirms the 7:30 PM ET kickoff.

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

The Florida team needs a combination of results to stay alive in the tournament featuring Liga MX and MLS clubs. A specific sequence of outcomes could eliminate Inter Miami from the Leagues Cup on Tuesday, a day before their game against Leon.

Jose Armando Rodriguez, who covers the team for Deporte Total, notes that if Charlotte, Cincinnati, and Columbus tie—even if they lose on penalties—and Real Salt Lake defeat Juarez, Messi’s team will be unable to secure a top-four finish in Group B, which is necessary to make the knockout phase.

How Inter Miami started in the Leagues Cup

The Florida club began its participation with a convincing 4-2 victory over Atletico de San Luis, but fell 1-2 to Monterrey on the second matchday. That defeat severely complicated its aspirations, as qualification no longer depends solely on what Guillermo Hoyos’ team does.

The 2026 Leagues Cup competition system establishes that the 18 Liga MX clubs compete in Group A, while the 18 MLS teams compete in Group B. Each side plays three matches against opponents from the opposing league.

A victory awards three points, while a draw gives one point to each team and an additional point to the penalty shootout winner. At the end of this phase, the top four teams from each league advance to the quarterfinals.

That is where the problem lies for Inter Miami. After two matchdays, the Herons have three points and need to win their final match to reach six. But even with a victory against Leon, Leo Messi’s team depend on favorable results in other matches to claim one of the four available spots for MLS clubs.

What is complicating Inter Miami’s path

The Group B landscape highlights the difficulty. Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire, Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and FC Dallas have six points, meaning Inter Miami need these teams to drop points on the final matchday.

Additionally, LAFC has five points, and Real Salt Lake has four, while Nashville SC, Portland Timbers, NYCFC, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, Seattle Sounders, and San Diego FC also have three points.

How to watch Club America vs Portland Timbers in the USA

The Leagues Cup matchup between Club America and Portland Timbers can be watched on TV channels Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univision, and FOX One. But it does not end there, as it can also be enjoyed on streaming platforms broadcasting the game, such as MLS Season Pass, fuboTV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, and the TUDN App.

Can I watch Club America vs Portland Timbers for free?

Yes, you can enjoy Club America vs Portland Timbers for free in the USA by signing up for Fubo‘s 5-day free trial, provided you are an eligible new subscriber. The trial includes access to the channels carrying the match.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Both clubs recorded important victories on their first matchday of action, now headlining one of the matchups that promise to be among the most attractive of the Leagues Cup.

Club America have had a great start to the soccer semester, sitting as the current leaders of the 2026 Apertura in Liga MX and securing an important win on their first matchday of action in the Leagues Cup. The side managed by Guillermo Almada defeated San Diego FC 3-1 at Estadio Banorte, now traveling to Portland for their second matchday of the championship.

On the other hand, Portland is experiencing a great moment, registering big wins in their most recent MLS matchdays and a 5-2 thrashing of Puebla on the first matchday of the Leagues Cup. Following the humiliation over the Puebla squad, the Timbers look to maintain their dominance over Mexican clubs this Sunday in the binational tournament, where a win over the most successful team in Liga MX could skyrocket their morale and put them at the top of the standings for U.S. teams.

What time is the Club America vs Portland Timbers match?

The match will be played on Sunday, August 9, with kickoff scheduled for 10:15 PM ET. Here are the kickoff times across the United States:

• Eastern Time (ET): 10:15 PM
• Central Time (CT): 9:15 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 8:15 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 7:15 PM

How to watch Cruz Azul vs New York City FC in the USA

The Leagues Cup matchup between Cruz Azul and New York City FC can be watched on TV channels Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univision, and FOX One. But it does not end there, as it can also be enjoyed on streaming apps broadcasting the game, such as Fubo TV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, and the TUDN App.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs New York City FC for free?

Yes, you can enjoy Cruz Azul vs New York City FC for free in the USA by signing up for Fubo‘s 5-day free trial, provided you are an eligible new subscriber. The trial includes access to the channels carrying the match.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul managed to start their participation on a positive note, looking to position themselves among the top spots in the standings for Liga MX teams, a similar scenario to how their MLS rival arrives for this second matchday of the League Phase as they look to keep advancing in the competition.

The team managed by Joel Huiqui wants to elevate its level at the start of the season, remembering that the current Liga MX champions managed to secure all three points on the first matchday of action in the binational tournament after defeating Philadelphia Union 1-0 with a goal from Jose Paradela in the early minutes of the match.

Although La Maquina managed to be one of the few Mexican soccer squads to claim a win on Matchday 1 of the 2026 Leagues Cup, their performance must be replicated in this second commitment to uphold their name and avoid joining the squads that lost to MLS teams.

On the other hand, New York City FC also secured a victory in their first test of the tournament, defeating Santos Laguna 2-0 with goals from Tayvon Gray and Nico Cavallo. Following the resumption of MLS after the 2026 World Cup, NYC FC maintained an undefeated record, registering wins against Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire, a draw with Toronto FC, and a win over Santos on Matchday 1 of the Leagues Cup.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs New York City FC match?

The match will be played on Saturday, August 9, with kickoff scheduled for 7:40 PM ET. Here are the kickoff times across the United States:

• Eastern Time (ET): 7:40 PM
• Central Time (CT): 6:40 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 5:40 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 4:40 PM

“It’s clear that it’s a disadvantage; you don’t have to be [Albert] Einstein to realize it. The home team is waiting for you at their own place, with their own beds, meals and schedules. Obviously, it takes a physical toll,” Abreu said in response to Bolavip during a press conference on Saturday.

Although San Diego is only across the US-Mexico border for Tijuana, the Xolos first had to travel to Texas to play Austin in their debut at the 2026 Leagues Cup. Needless to say, it wasn’t a good start, as it put Abreu’s team with its back against the wall.

Abreu wants Tijuana to be cautious

Only a win will do for Tijuana against San Diego FC as the Xolos are playing for survival in the 2026 Leagues Cup. After losing to Austin in the opener, the Xolos can’t afford another defeat, and even a tie could be enough to eliminate them.

With everything on the line, Abreu still wants his team to be wary, as there is a long Liga MX season ahead. Perhaps because the tournament lacks prestige or Mexican teams believe they are at a disadvantage, the Xolos’ head coach didn’t show much urgency.

“We have to take precautions for when domestic league play resumes, but we should enjoy it and, above all, let the young players gain these experiences, which are fantastic for them,” Abreu stated in response to Bolavip.

Tijuana’s Leagues Cup schedule

After the 2-0 loss in the debut against Austin, Tijuana take on San Diego FC (Aug. 9) on the road before closing the first round of the 2026 Leagues Cup on Aug. 13 when they visit the Portland Timbers. Only days later, Liga MX action will resume and the Xolos are scheduled to go head to head with Cruz Azul on Aug. 17.

• Tijuana at Austin: 2-0 loss
• Tijuana at San Diego FC (Aug. 9)
• Tijuana at Portland Timbers (Aug. 13)

Missing their best player and the best in the world, Messi, Inter Miami struggled to create many chances against Monterrey. No one could break the deadlock until De Paul unleashed a rocket of a shot from outside the box, finding the bottom-right corner of the net to open the scoring in the Herons’ second game of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

As soon as the ball went in, De Paul removed his shirt. However, instead of showing off his tattoo-filled physique, the Argentine was wearing Messi‘s jersey underneath. De Paul turned his back to the stands and pointed to the number and name on his undershirt, sending a clear message of support to his best friend, who lost his father on Saturday.

On a day when Inter Miami mourned Jorge Messi’s passing, De Paul delivered a tribute that appeared to be taken straight out of a movie script.

De Paul was booked

Although he was wearing another jersey underneath, De Paul still removed one of his shirts after scoring against Monterrey. As a result, he was shown a yellow card by the referee.

Even though it was still early in the game and getting booked with most of the match left to play carried a risk, De Paul clearly couldn’t care less about the card and was going to honor Messi and his family regardless. Had De Paul scored later while already on a yellow card, he most likely would’ve removed his jersey anyway.

Some things are bigger than soccer, and De Paul made that clear with one of the most emotional moments of the season.

Meant to be

The fact that De Paul was wearing Messi’s jersey underneath his own shows just how confident he was that he would score and get a chance to honor his friend’s family.

De Paul doesn’t score often, which makes it all the more magical. That he scored tonight, of all games, and in the fashion he did made the moment even more special.

In more ways than one, it was reminiscent of one of Messi’s most iconic celebrations, when he wore Diego Armando Maradona’s jersey underneath his own Barcelona shirt days after the Argentine icon passed away in 2020.

How to watch Chivas Guadalajara vs FC Dallas in the USA

Chivas Guadalajara vs. FC Dallas will stream live on Apple TV in the United States. Every 2026 Leagues Cup match is available globally, including this Phase One matchup at PayPal Park. The platform offers the games live and on demand.

Can I watch Chivas Guadalajara vs FC Dallas for free?

Eligible new Apple TV subscribers can watch Chivas Guadalajara vs. FC Dallas through the platform’s 7-day free trial. MLS currently lists Apple TV at $12.99 per month after a free day trial, with the subscription including every MLS match.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

FC Dallas enters the matchup in a stronger position after opening the 2026 Leagues Cup with a 2-0 victory over Queretaro, while Chivas Guadalajara earned one point against LAFC after their 1-1 draw ended in a penalty-shootout loss.

Santiago Moreno and Joaquin Valiente scored for Dallas, while Chivas took the lead against LAFC through Roberto Alvarado before Denis Bouanga equalized. LAFC ultimately won the shootout 5-4.

That leaves FC Dallas with three points and Chivas with one heading into Saturday’s meeting at PayPal Park. The result is particularly important because both clubs are part of West Group 2, alongside LAFC and Seattle Sounders.

For Chivas, Saturday’s game is an opportunity to turn a promising performance against LAFC into a bigger points haul. The Guadalajara side showed it could compete with one of MLS‘s strongest teams, but the penalty defeat means it cannot afford another setback if it wants to remain in contention for one of the four Liga MX knockout spots.

Chivas Guadalajara vs FC Dallas: Predicted Lineups

Chivas (3-1-4-2): Raul Rangel; Diego Campillo, Luis Romo, Daniel Aguirre; Ruben Gonzalez; Bryan Gonzalez, Efrain Alvarez, Omar Govea, Richard Ledezma; Armando Gonzalez, Roberto Alvarado.

FC Dallas (3-4-2-1): Jonathan Sirois; Sebastien Ibeagha, Nolan Norris, Osaze Urhoghide; Herman Johansson, Clay Holstad, Christian Cappis, Bernard Kamungo; Joaquin Valiente, Santiago Moreno; Petar Musa.

What time is the Chivas Guadalajara vs FC Dallas match?

Chivas Guadalajara vs. FC Dallas kicks off on Saturday, August 8, at 9:00 PM ET. The match will be played at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, with FC Dallas’ official schedule listing an 8:00 PM CT kickoff.

• Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
• Central Time: 8:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

How to watch Orlando City vs Leon in the USA

Orlando City vs. Club Leon will be available to watch live on Apple TV in the United States. It is the exclusive global streaming home of the 2026 Leagues Cup, with every match in the competition available on the platform.

Can I watch Orlando City vs Leon for free?

New Apple TV subscribers can watch Orlando City vs. Club Leon through a 7-day free trial. The official event page lists the match with a seven-day trial, after which the subscription costs $12.99 per month. Terms and eligibility apply.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Orlando City and Club Leon both have three points heading into Saturday’s Leagues Cup clash, so the winner can take a major step toward securing a place in the knockout rounds. Orlando opened Phase One with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey, while Leon pulled off a 1-0 road win against Nashville SC.

The stakes are particularly high because only the top four MLS teams and top four Liga MX teams at the end of Phase One advance to the knockout stage. Orlando is playing all three of its Phase One matches at home, with Leon representing its second opponent before Atletico de San Luis visits on August 12.

Orlando’s opening win also gave Antoine Griezmann an impressive introduction to the competition. The French forward scored in the Lions’ victory over Monterrey, while Tyrese Spicer converted a penalty to secure all three points.

For Leon, the victory over Nashville was equally valuable. Daniel Arcila scored in the 79th minute to give the Liga MX side a 1-0 win, putting Leon in the same three-point position as Orlando before their first meeting.

Orlando City vs Leon: Predicted Lineups

Orlando City (4-2-3-1): Maxime Crepeau; Bernardo Rhein, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, Griffin Dorsey; Eduard Atuesta, Luis Otavio; Tyrese Spicer, Antoine Griezmann, Ivan Angulo; Justin Ellis.

Leon (4-1-4-1): Jordan Garcia; Sebastian Vegas, Juan Guevara, Jhohan Romaña, Ivan Moreno; Ivan Rodriguez; Daniel Arcila, Fernando Beltran, Rodrigo Echeverria, Jordi Cortizo; Diber Cambindo.

What time is the Orlando City vs Leon match?

Orlando City vs. Club Leon kicks off on Saturday, August 8, at 6:30 PM ET. The match will take place at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando as part of Phase One of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

• Eastern Time: 6:30 PM
• Central Time: 5:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 4:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 3:30 PM

Suarez was handed a six-game suspension after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member following the 2025 Leagues Cup final, in which Inter Miami fell 3-0. While several players were involved in a brawl and walked away without punishment, Suarez crossed a red line.

Although the Herons hoped an appeal would reduce the suspension, it was to no avail. As a result, Suarez will have to serve his entire ban in the Leagues Cup, and the Herons will have to make do with what they have.

Suarez is suspended for entire 2026 Leagues Cup

Because the veteran striker was handed a six-game ban and Inter Miami could play a maximum of six games in the 2026 Leagues Cup, Suarez would miss every outing should the Herons make it all the way to the final.

Guillermo Hoyos, Lionel Messi, and Inter Miami were well aware of Suarez’s suspension entering the tournament. Whether they agree with the organizers’ ban or not, the Herons have accepted their situation. If they want to make noise in the cross MLS-Liga MX competition, they will have to figure out a way to fill Suarez’s void.

However, there is also a scenario in which Suarez’s suspension carries on to the 2027 Leagues Cup—provided the Herons qualify to next year’s tournament.

What would happen if Inter Miami fall before the final

If the Herons are eliminated before the final, Suarez could have to serve the remaining games of his suspension during next year’s tournament. Moreover, if Inter Miami are knocked out in the round-robin stage, Suarez will miss the entire first round of the 2027 tournament as well.

Should the Herons fail to advance to the knockout stage next year, the Uruguayan could miss two entire Leagues Cups in a row. That may be looking too far ahead, though, as Suarez is under contract through 2026, but his future beyond that remains uncertain.

2026 Leagues Cup format for Inter Miami

Inter Miami will play three Liga MX teams—Atletico San Luis, Monterrey, and Leon—in the first round. If they rank among the top four MLS teams, the Herons will advance to the knockout stage. The elimination round begins with the quarterfinals and is played as single-leg knockout games, meaning Inter Miami could play up to six games.

Of course the main question right now is if Lionel Messi will play today for Inter Miami vs Monterrey. It’s been confirmed that Messi won’t play as he is traveling back to Argentina. Hence, Inter Miami, a team that won its first Leagues Cup match, will have to vary a bit.

As for Monterrey, they lost their first Leagues Cup game against Orlando City so the ‘Rayados‘ are in big need of bouncing back. Historically, Mexican teams haven’t done great in the Leagues Cup, and another defeat here could mean that pattern might be repeating.

Inter Miami’s predicted lineup vs Monterrey

Guillermo Hoyos is not going to have Messi at his disposal today. Luis Suarez is still suspended and German Berterame is in concussion protocol. Hence, this is the Heron’s confirmed lineup:

The 4-3-3 is the go-to formation: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Facundo Mura, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo de Paul; Lovens Delinois, Daniel Pinter, Telasco Segovia.

Monterrey’s predicted lineup vs Inter Miami

Matias Almeyda is an aggresive manager and will likely put a solid, offensive-minded lineup to face off against Inter Miami. Knowing that a win is imperative, this is the starting XI:

Almeyda is confirmed to use a 3-4-2-1 formation: Luis Cardenas; Victor Guzman, Carlos Salcedo, Daniel Aceves; Luca Orellano, Orbelin Pineda, Oliver Torres, Jesus Corona; Lucas Ocampos, Diego Rossi, Hugo Cuypers.