COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have been drawn with Liga MX sides Club Santos Laguna A.S., Club Tijuana, and Cruz Azul in Phase One of Leagues Cup 2025, Major League Soccer announced today. Colorado will host two matches in Phase One at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, with Santos coming to Commerce City on July 31 and Tijuana on August 3. The Rapids will then travel to Dignity Health Sports Park on August 7 to face Cruz Azul.
“We’re thrilled to participate in the third edition of Leagues Cup, a competition that pits the best teams in North America against one another,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “Our successful run in last year's tournament has only fueled our hunger for more. We're ready to embrace the challenge and compete for the trophy, and just as excited to give our fans more unforgettable nights at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.”
Taking place from July 29 to August 31, Leagues Cup 2025 will be played in the United States and Canada and will decide three qualifiers for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, where the winner will represent the region at FIFA international club competitions. The tournament will debut a new format from previous editions, with 18 Liga MX teams slated to face 18 MLS teams. The top nine MLS teams in each conference in 2024 earned qualification into Leagues Cup 2025 and will only face off against Liga MX sides in their three Phase One matches. More information on tournament changes can be found here.
Santos Laguna and the Rapids have met twice, with the most recent matchup coming in 2013 in an international friendly at University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico. Their first meeting took place in 2003 in a preseason friendly in Las Vegas. Founded in 1983, Santos has lifted five Liga MX Clasura trophies, three of which came within the last 15 years. In last year’s tournament, Santos advanced to the Round of 32 before being defeated by FC Cincinnati.
