MLS Clubs Shake Up Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals

Liga MX teams have historically dominated the continental tournament, but MLS clubs are closing the gap

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:08am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an abstracted soccer match, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the competitive energy and shifting dynamics of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.The Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals saw MLS clubs LAFC and Nashville SC eliminate Liga MX powerhouses, challenging the traditional dominance of the Mexican league in the continental competition.Los Angeles Today

The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals are set, with two teams from MLS - Los Angeles FC and Nashville SC - and two from Liga MX - Tigres and Toluca - moving into the final four. While Liga MX teams have won all but one of the continental club championships in the modern era, both MLS teams were convincing in their quarterfinal wins, exposing the narrowing gap between the two leagues.

Why it matters

The historical debate over the relative strength of MLS and Liga MX will continue, but this year's quarterfinal results suggest the North American soccer landscape may be shifting. The success of MLS clubs like LAFC and Nashville SC in eliminating Liga MX "grandes" highlights the growth of the league and the increasing competitiveness between the two top divisions in the region.

The details

In the quarterfinals, LAFC eliminated reigning Concacaf Champions Cup champion Cruz Azul, while Nashville SC became the first MLS team to win a competitive game at the Estadio Azteca, defeating a struggling América side. However, Liga MX teams Tigres and Toluca also advanced to the semifinals, indicating the continued strength of the Mexican league. Managers from both leagues emphasized the need for mutual respect and acknowledged the narrowing gap between the competitions.

  • The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals are set to begin the week of April 28, 2026.

The players

Marc dos Santos

The manager of LAFC, who emphasized the need for respect between MLS and Liga MX after his team's quarterfinal win.

Brian Schmetzer

The manager of the Seattle Sounders, whose team was eliminated on away goals despite a 3-1 second-leg win over Tigres.

Guido Pizarro

The manager of Tigres, who acknowledged the even nature of the series against the Sounders.

BJ Callaghan

The manager of Nashville SC, whose team became the first MLS club to win a competitive match at the Estadio Azteca.

Ismael Cornejo

The Salvadoran referee who was criticized for his officiating in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.

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What they’re saying

“There shouldn't be rivalry. There should be respect for two leagues that are strong. MLS has grown a lot in recent years. I remember 15 years ago when MLS teams would play against Liga MX opponents, the difference was really big. Today, it's not like that. It's closer.”

— Marc dos Santos, LAFC Manager

“We want to pursue trophies and be able to compete against the elite. We knew getting to this round, you're going to be matching up against really good teams, and if you want to be able to continue to pursue those, you have to go on the road and go to historic stadiums like Azteca in difficult conditions and get results.”

— BJ Callaghan, Nashville SC Manager

“It was a tough game, typical of this competition. I think the tie was really even. We were better there, and here they found goals at the right moments to push the game. It was really even, so I put a lot into going through.”

— Guido Pizarro, Tigres Manager

What’s next

The Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals are set to begin the week of April 28, 2026, with LAFC facing Toluca and Nashville SC taking on Tigres. The winners will advance to the final, where they will compete for the prestigious continental title.

The takeaway

The Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal results have challenged the long-held narrative of Liga MX's dominance over MLS. While Liga MX teams have historically won the majority of the continental championships, the success of MLS clubs like LAFC and Nashville SC in eliminating Mexican "grandes" this year suggests the gap between the two leagues is narrowing. This could signal a shift in the North American soccer landscape, with MLS clubs increasingly able to compete with their Liga MX counterparts on the biggest stages.