Club de Fútbol Monterrey aimed for a spot in the Leagues Cup semifinals when they faced Chicago Fire FC on Tuesday, August 25. The match kicked off at 8:30 PM ET at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, with the winner advancing to face either Club América or Columbus Crew.
Details of the matchup were originally reported by www.mlssoccer.com. The Mexican side reached this stage after a challenging group phase. They lost their opener 2-1 to Orlando City but responded with back-to-back 2-1 wins over Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. Those victories secured the fourth and final LIGA MX quarterfinal spot.
How did Monterrey reach the quarterfinals?
The team managed by Fernando Ortiz earned six points in the group stage from two wins and one loss. That run placed them fourth in the LIGA MX standings within the tournament. The offensive key was Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers, who scored in each of the three matches. Cuypers joined the club in late July from Chicago Fire, the very team he faced in this decisive clash. The Fire had acquired Cuypers before the 2024 season from Belgian side Gent for a club-record fee, reported to be up to $14 million.
What do the new signings bring?
Besides Cuypers, another recent addition made an immediate impact. Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi, acquired in early July from Columbus Crew, recorded three goals and four assists in his first eight games for Monterrey. Rossi has prior MLS experience with LAFC and Columbus Crew. Another piece with a past in the American league is Luca Orellano, former FC Cincinnati player and scorer of the 2024 AT&T MLS Goal of the Year. This offensive trio was the team's great hope to overcome the Fire.
Who was the opponent in Chicago?
Chicago Fire came into the match with extra motivation to lift a trophy, as their last title dates back to the 2006 US Open Cup. Coach Gregg Berhalter, in his second year in charge, had led the team to the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2017 in his first season. In goal, American goalkeeper Chris Brady, in his fourth season as a starter, provided solidity. Brady was the third goalkeeper for the USMNT at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team's star forward was Robert Lewandowski, whose summer arrival was one of the reasons Hugo Cuypers sought a move away. Lewandowski had scored four goals in nine appearances.
What was at stake in the tournament?
Beyond a semifinal place, the tournament offered a continental prize. The top three finishers in the Leagues Cup qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The semifinals were scheduled for September 1-2, and the final where the champion would be crowned was set for September 6. For Monterrey, this match was a chance to build momentum for the rest of the season.
The team returned to action in Liga MX after the cup match. In their latest domestic fixture on August 22, they fell 2-0 to León. That loss left them in seventh place in the table with nine points from three wins and two losses in five games. They have a goal difference of +5, with 12 scored and seven conceded. In the title race, they are four points behind leaders Club América. Their next league match is at home against bottom-placed Atlético San Luis on August 31. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page and check the full schedule on fixtures.
