MIAMI — The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continues Tuesday with a doubleheader in the second leg of the quarterfinals. Tigres UANL will host LA Galaxy to start the night, followed by Cruz Azul against Club América. Both series began with nil-nil draws in their first-leg encounters, leaving everything to play for in the closing match. The winners on aggregate will advance to the semifinals. Away goals serve as the primary tiebreaker. If necessary, extra time and a penalty shootout will decide the winner.
Tigres UANL vs. LA Galaxy
Tigres UANL meets LA Galaxy at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. The Mexican side is looking to capitalize on home advantage after a tightly contested first leg. In that match, Juan Brunetta, Joaquim Henrique, Nicolás Ibáñez, and Ozziel Herrera had some of the better looks for Tigres. Notably, Herrera and Ibáñez lead the side in scoring with two goals each this campaign.
Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán was reliable in goal again, making two crucial saves to secure a clean sheet. This marks Guzmán's second clean sheet in the tournament, showcasing his importance to the team's defensive strategy. On the other side, LA Galaxy’s John McCarthy shined in the first leg with four saves, keeping the match level and giving his team a fighting chance.
Gabriel Pec led the Galaxy with three attempts, while teammates Isaiah Parente and Matheus Nascimento also had efforts on goal, but could not find the back of the net. The stakes are high for both clubs as they vie for a spot in the semifinals.
Cruz Azul vs. Club América
Cruz Azul faces off against crosstown rivals Club América at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico. This edition of the Clásico Joven rivalry is particularly significant, featuring two of the most successful clubs in the competition's history. Cruz Azul boasts six titles, while Club América holds the record with seven championships. This match is not just a battle for bragging rights; it’s a crucial step towards the coveted title.
The Azul defense has shown remarkable resilience, with goalkeeper Kevin Mier taking the spotlight in the first leg. Mier made three saves, showcasing his skill in precarious situations to earn his second clean sheet of the campaign. Overall, Cruz Azul has recorded four clean sheets in the tournament, a testament to their strong defensive unit.
Ángel Sepúlveda leads the 2025 campaign with four goals and nearly added to his tally in the first leg, with a header on target in the 57th minute, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Luis Ángel Malagón. Malagón, who has earned his second consecutive clean sheet in the Concacaf Champions Cup, was instrumental in Club América's defense, having previously starred for Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League, where he helped secure the trophy and earned accolades as the tournament's Best Goalkeeper.
For Club América, Kevin Álvarez, Diego Valdés, and Brian Rodríguez led the way with one shot on target each during the first leg, while Álvaro Fidalgo also had a promising look in stoppage time that was guided off target by Mier. The pressure is on both teams as they prepare for this high-stakes encounter, with the outcome of this match set to determine who advances to the semifinals.
As the anticipation builds for these crucial matches, both Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul are aiming to leverage their home-field advantage and capitalize on the momentum from their respective first legs. Fans are eager to see which teams will emerge victorious and continue their quest for the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup title.
With so much at stake, the stage is set for an electrifying night of soccer. Will Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul secure their places in the semifinals, or will LA Galaxy and Club América rise to the occasion and pull off stunning upsets? The answers will unfold on Tuesday night as the action kicks off in both venues.
