Leagues Cup: Predicting the winner of every quarterfinal match

Just 8 entrants stay from the 47-strong field that kicked off the 2nd edition of the Leagues Cup, the yearly World Cup-style competitors collectively designed by MLS and Liga MX that consistsof every leading flight U.S., Canadian and Mexican club.

Like last year’s occasion, the quarterfinals of the 2024 Leagues Cup are controlled by American reps. Six of the staying 8 clubs are from MLS, one more than in 2023, when Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to the inaugural title a month after his incredible arrival in South Florida.

The backstory for each of the 4 single removal videogames arranged for Saturday is listedbelow, with rating forecasts for each match.

Columbus Crew vs. NYCFC (6 p.m. ET)

The Crew are the protecting MLS Cup Champs and the domestic circuit’s greatest staying seed, and Wilfried Nancy’s side are desperate to win this prize after losing the single videogame Concacaf Champions Cup last to Pachuca in Mexico in June.

They have to like their possibilities after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Messi-less Inter Miami 3-2 and end the Herons’ Leagues Cup title defense in the round of16 Columbus is the class of MLS. Once onceagain, they’ll be playing in front of their own fans when onceagain at raucous Lower.com Field in Ohio’s capital. And with star striker Cucho Hernandez rounding into season-best type, the Pigeons’ finest path to an distressed might be to play for charges. That may make this match awful unless the hosts rating early — something Cucho & Co. are mostlikely counting on.

Prediction: Columbus 2, New York City 0

Philadelphia Union vs. Mazatlán (7: 30 p.m. ET)

It’s been a unpleasant season by the Union’s own lofty requirements, with the 2022 MLS Cup runner-up sitting an remarkable 21st amongst 29 groups when the league went on hiatus for this competition. But Philly has looked like a various group throughout the Leagues Cup, particularly in Tuesday’s 4-2 quarterfinal win at FC Cincinnati. Tai Baribo scored twotimes versus last year’s Supporters’ Shield winner. The Israeli forward presently leads the competitors in objectives.

Jim Curtin’s team is unexpectedly 3 wins away from a prize. For a group that’s not ensured to reach the MLS playoffs, that should be their primary toppriority. The Union came close last year however lost to Miami in the semis. Should they makeitthrough Mazatlán — which will showup at Subaru Park fresh off stunning Mexico City-based Cruz Azul — the winner of the Crew-NYCFC match waitsfor. Returning to the last 4 would be a point of pride for a club that has punched above its weight for years, particularly with the leading 3 finishers in Leagues Cup play ensured a area in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Union understand it after taking 3rd location last year.

Prediction: Philadelphia 2, Mazatlán 2 (Union advance on charges)

Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC (8 p.m. ET)

The marquee contest of the quarterfinals pits these 2 western conference powers, at least one of which has played for the MLS Cup in 4 of the last 5 years. At home, the Sounders are the minor favorites. They crushed Liga MXs’ Pumas 4-0 in the round of 16 at Lumen Field.

But LAFC hasactually been muchbetter in MLS play in 2024, total and head-to-head. The 2022 MLS champs haveactually beaten Seattle in both conferences so far this year, consistingof a 3-0 drubbing on July20 The Angelenos likewise have a glossy brand-new striker in Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time scoring leader, who made his launching for the club in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Prediction: Los Angeles 3, Seattle 2

Club América vs. Colorado Rapids (10 p.m. ET)

In theory, this shouldn’t be much of a contest. Club América came into the competition as the No. 1 seed amongst the 47 individuals. The Rapids were 46th.

So Mexico’s wealthiest and most popular club is the frustrating choice to advance here — specifically because they’ll when onceagain play in front of a sea of yellow-clad Águilas fans at the LA Galaxy’s home arena in Carson, California, where América came back to getridof St. Louis City in Tuesday’s nightcap.

In truth, the Rapids haveactually been muchbetter than anybody anticipated all season under veryfirst year coach Chris Armas. With longtime USMNT keeper Zack Steffen manning the objective and playmaker Djordje Mihailovic in sizzling type following a strong proving for the U.S. at the Paris Olympics, can Colorado make their side of the semifinal bracket an all-MLS affair?

Prediction: Club América 2, Colorado 1

Doug McIntyre is a soccer pressreporter for FOX Sports. A previous personnel author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports, he hasactually covered U.S. guys’s and females’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.