On penalties, America falls to Colorado and Liga MX says goodbye to Leagues Cup

Liga MX said goodbye to the Leagues Cup. The fall of the tricolor clubs in the binational tournament could not have been more distressing and painful after América, two-time champion and the most successful team in the Mexican tournament, suffered in an extensive penalty shootout where they lost 9-8 to the American team Colorado Rapids.

Liga MX’s participation was now less notable than in the previous edition of the Leagues Cup. If a year ago Monterrey reached the semi-finals, now the best result was that of the Águilas who were barely able to reach the quarter-finals.

The title will once again go to an American team after the Colorado Rapids, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew and LAFC advanced to the semifinals.

Goalkeeper Luis Malagón had done his job by blocking a goal by Rafael Navarro to encourage the Eagles, but then he was unable to show the same skill when he shot from the penalty spot and missed the goal that defined the victory for Colorado. The goalkeeper, incredulous at the mistake, only knelt down and began to cry as an attempt to atone for his mistake.

Igor Lichnovski had already missed his chance in front of goal, which led to the penalty shoot-out being extended to twenty shots.

From regulation time onwards, América was hesitant. Richard Sánchez and Diego Valdés set the pace of the game and threatened the nets, but they lacked precision in each attack. Thus, the match ended goalless, so it had to be decided in the agonizing penalty shootout.