2019 Leagues Cup - Quarterfinals
Chicago Fire vs. Cruz Azul
SeatGeek Stadium - Bridgeview
July 23- 8:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, TUDN, TSN GO
- Match Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the match
The inaugural Leagues Cup, which features some of the best teams in Major League Soccer and Liga MX, kicks off Tuesday in Bridgeview when the Chicago Fire host Cruz Azul in the quarterfinals.
The Chicago Fire are hoping to use the competition as a chance to kick start the second half of a disappointing regular season, which sees them currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, seven points below the playoff line. Chicago have lost three of its last four games without a win, including a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union. Mexican international Marco Fabian and Homegrown midfielder Anthony Fontana scored in each half for the Union.
Cruz Azul kicked off the second half of their season on the right foot as they cruised past Necaxa in the Supercopa, 4-0. The good news isn’t just the confidence-building result, but knowing their key players up front are healthy and already making an impact. Milton Caraglio and Elias Hernandez were in the starting XI, and they both scored.
La Maquina have a stacked offensive roster, giving Pedro Caixinha plenty of options to face Liga MX and Leagues Cup at the same time. Against Necaxa, the likes of star signing Pol Fernandez, Uruguayan international Jonathan Rodriguez who played in Copa America, and Mexican international Orbelin Pineda, were only used as subs.
The same two sides faced off in the opener of the Apertura campaign, playing to a 0-0 draw. Cruz Azul finished with 10 men after Julio Dominguez was sent off on a straight red card in the 72nd minute.
Chicago Fire
- Injury Report:
- OUT: None
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Cruz Azul
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Javier Salas (M) – Achilles tendon injury
- OUT: Stephen Eustaquio (M) - ACL injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- This is the first all-time meeting between the Chicago Fire and Cruz Azul in an official competition
Officials
- Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
- Assistant Referees: Juan Francisco Zumba (El Salvador, Juan Carlos Mora (El Salvador)
- 4th Official: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)
- VAR: Alan Kelly (MLS)
