Leagues Cup roundup: Red Bulls KO Juarez on PKs

New York Red Bulls 1 (5), FC Juárez 1 (3) — Shootout Heartbreak Ends Bravos’ Bid

A spirited, must-win display from Juárez fell agonisingly short. Dylan Nealis volleyed the Red Bulls ahead just after the restart, only for Oscar Estupiñan to nod in a near-post equaliser on 87 minutes, his second goal of the tournament. The Mexican side needed all three points and the extra shoot-out bonus to overhaul Tigres and Pachuca in the Liga MX table, but AJ Marcucci’s save from Rodolfo Pizarro tilted the penalties 5-3 in New York’s favour. Eliminated or not, Juárez’ high-leverage approach was a reminder that knockout permutations matter when you’re sizing up regulation-time or “advance” markets; Sportshub’s How to Bet on Soccer breaks down exactly how those wrinkles can create value.

CD Guadalajara 2, FC Cincinnati 1 — Chivas Cash In on a Gift as Cincy Rotate

Already ousted but playing for pride, Chivas punished a rare Cincinnati error when Rubén González pounced on a loose back-pass for the decisive 57th-minute strike. Earlier, Efraín Álvarez buried a VAR-confirmed penalty before Andrés Mosquera halved the deficit. Pat Noonan fielded a heavily rotated XI, aware his side would have needed a four-goal win to sneak through, and that pragmatism cost them rhythm. Squad-rotation angles—especially in congested schedules—are a staple of savvy wagering; they’re covered in Sportshub’s Best Tips for Betting on the Champions League but apply just as well to Leagues Cup.

Charlotte FC 2, CF Monterrey 0 — Tuiloma & Smalls Finish on a High Note

Out of contention but eager to maintain MLS momentum, Charlotte struck twice in four second-half minutes. Bill Tuiloma powered home a 56th-minute header before Tyger Smalls capped a flowing move to seal the points. David Bingham’s four saves secured the clean sheet—something the Crown had lacked earlier in the competition. Monterrey, meanwhile, ended group play winless and goalless for the first time in any match since mid-July. Punters who tailed Charlotte’s uptick in league form were rewarded here, illustrating why cross-competition trends can be profitable; see the Beginner’s Guide to Premier League Betting for tips on translating domestic form into cup settings.

Cruz Azul 2 (5), Colorado Rapids 2 (4) — La Máquina Win the Consolation Shootout

A frantic first half in Carson saw Andreas Maxsø volley Colorado in front before Willer Ditta’s deflected strike levelled for La Máquina. Rafael Navarro’s third tournament goal restored the Rapids’ lead, only for Ignacio Rivero’s acrobatic finish to make it 2-2. Substitute keeper Niko Hansen’s 10 saves dragged Colorado to penalties, but Kevin Mier denied Oliver Larraz to hand Cruz Azul the extra point. With both clubs already eliminated, motivation angles were tricky—proof that context is everything when betting group-stage finales. Sportshub’s soccer primer (link above) offers a checklist for evaluating such late-stage fixtures before staking.