Leagues Cup<\/a> will feature four semifinalists from America’s MLS league, as all four Liga MX teams were eliminated. Two of the four semifinals were goalless and had to be settled on penalty shootouts, as the tournament continues to struggle to engage fans in some eyes.<\/p>\nThis year’s Leagues Cup format was certain to create four Liga MX vs MLS matchups in the quarterfinals, matching how every group stage game was Liga MX vs MLS.<\/p>\n
Puebla, Toluca, and Liga MX\u2019s Near-Misses<\/h4>\n
The least likely Liga MX team to advance, Puebla, may have played the best game of the quarterfinals. The surprise side from the group stage, Puebla were beaten 7-0 by Tigres upon returning to Liga MX and then lost another league game to San Luis without scoring. Liga MX’s 17th-placed team almost pulled off a miracle. With just 20% possession, they held the Sounders scoreless and then enjoyed around 20 minutes with a man advantage after Danny Musovski was red-carded. Failing to score, the game went to penalties, where Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made two saves to put Seattle into the semis.<\/p>\n
Peruvian international Pedro Gallese ensured that Orlando City advanced past Liga MX champions Toluca in a game that ended scoreless and went to penalties. The game was played timidly, with only one shot on goal produced between the teams. Toluca, with a powerful attack on paper, showed nothing of it in California, and the penalty kick margin was just one conversion, with Gallese making the difference. Toluca were considered the best team in Liga MX, making their early elimination a significant blow.<\/p>\n