More than half of the 18 Mexican clubs are out of contention for the quarterfinals after the first two rounds of the Leagues Cup’s three-round Phase 1. On the MLS side, Minnesota and Vancouver have been eliminated with a game to spare. Eliminated:Liga MX: Guadalajara, Pachuca, Tijuana, Atlas, Santos Laguna, Necaxa, Atlético de San Luis, Pumas, […] The post Leagues Cup: Ten Liga MX clubs already eliminated appeared first on Soccer America.
While dealing with the sudden absence of team star and captain Lionel Messi, Inter Miami are on the verge of being eliminated from the 2026 Leagues Cup. Inter Miami find themselves on thin ice following a 2-1 loss to CF Monterrey in the 2026 Leagues Cup group stage. With star captain Lionel Messi absent and only one match remaining on the schedule, the Herons are teetering on the brink of an early exit from the international tournament. The Herons initially kicked off their campaign on the right foot with a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis. However, ahead of their Matchday 2 clash against Rayados, Messi received the heartbreaking news of his father’s passing and was granted compassionate leave to fly to Argentina. The loss deeply affected the squad, which held a moment of silence prior to Saturday’s kickoff. With Messi in South America and Luis Suarez, German Berterame, Mateo Silvetti, and Tadeo Allende all sidelined, Miami’s attacking depth was severely depleted. Young prospect Daniel Pinter shared frontline duties with Lovens Delinois, the Haitian forward called up from Inter Miami II to make his senior debut. Rodrigo De Paul put the Herons ahead with a brilliant long-range strike in the 32nd minute, removing his match shirt to reveal Messi’s jersey underneath in a poignant tribute to his close friend and teammate. However, Hugo Cuypers netted the equalizer in the 47th minute, and Diego Rossi delivered a crushing blow with the game-winner in the 90th minute, leaving Inter Miami empty-handed at Nu Stadium. Rodrigo De Paul of Inter Miami CF dedicates his goal to Lionel Messi. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images) Now, only one group stage match remains, set for Wednesday, August 12, at Nu Stadium against a formidable Club Leon side that won both of its opening fixtures against Nashville SC (1-0) and Orlando City (2-1). Facing a must-win situation with a depleted frontline, Inter Miami risk missing the knockout phase for the first time since Messi’s landmark arrival in South Florida. What do Inter Miami need to avoid early elimination? Under the expanded Leagues Cup format introduced for the 2025 tournament, only the top four clubs from the MLS table and top four from Liga MX advance to the quarterfinals. Cross-league matchups are determined by table standing, but to secure one of those coveted qualification spots, Inter Miami no longer control their own destiny. Inter Miami currently occupy 11th place in the MLS Leagues Cup standings with three points, five goals scored, and four conceded, trailing ten clubs in the table. The top six sides, Charlotte FC, Austin FC, FC Cincinnati, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, and FC Dallas, have swept their first two matches with a goal differential of at least +2 (+5 for leaders Charlotte and Austin), meaning Miami needs multiple top teams to lose badly while the Herons secure a blowout win over Leon. Seventh-place LAFC sit on five points with a +1 goal differential, meaning Miami needs the Black and Gold to drop points or lose a potential penalty shootout following a draw. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake occupy eighth with four points, while Portland Timbers (9th) and Nashville SC (10th) remain tied with Miami on three points, making the Herons’ path to qualification mathematically possible, but statistically improbable.
The Argentine superstar had only just returned to the starting lineup and delivered a spectacular performance in the opening match, but unfortunate circumstances have now forced him away from the team. Lionel Messi will be missing when Inter Miami faces Monterrey in a crucial 2026 Leagues Cup clash, leaving the club without its biggest attacking weapon at a particularly important moment in the tournament. The Argentine superstar had only just returned to the starting lineup and delivered a spectacular performance in the opening match, but unfortunate circumstances have now forced him away from the team. The absence immediately changes the complexion of the matchup, especially with Inter Miami already dealing with several other attacking problems. Monterrey, meanwhile, enters the contest knowing that a victory could dramatically improve its chances of staying alive in the competition after losing its opening match to Orlando City. Messi’s absence comes only days after one of his most impressive performances of the summer. The 39-year-old started Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup opener against Atlético de San Luis and scored twice while also providing an assist in a 4-2 victory, directly contributing to three of the club’s four goals. It was the Argentine’s first start for Inter Miami since returning from the 2026 World Cup with La Albiceleste, and his performance immediately reminded everyone why the club remains so dependent on him. He looked sharp throughout the match, constantly finding space between the lines and creating problems whenever he received the ball around the penalty area. The result also gave the Herons an important early advantage in the revamped Leagues Cup format. With only three Phase One matches available and goal difference playing a major role in determining who advances, every goal can become valuable later in the competition. However, Messi will now have to watch from afar as Inter Miami takes on one of the strongest clubs from Liga MX. Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing against Monterrey? The reason behind Messi’s absence is deeply personal and far more significant than a routine injury, suspension or decision to rotate the squad. Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father and longtime agent, died in Rosario at the age of 68, with his death confirmed on Saturday after he had been receiving medical treatment. The news has prompted tributes from various organizations and clubs, including the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and Barcelona. Our deepest condolences. May Jorge Messi rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/PPSTTjHki1— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2026 Messi has subsequently traveled to Argentina to be with his family during this extremely difficult period. Reports indicate that he is expected to reunite with his mother Celia Cuccittini, his siblings and other relatives in Rosario, where arrangements for a private ceremony are expected to take place. Sending our deepest strength to Leo Messi and his family.We’re with you during this difficult time and sending you our warmest embrace. pic.twitter.com/YOCenOHSWy— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) August 8, 2026 The decision to leave Inter Miami at this moment is therefore completely understandable. Soccer has understandably taken a back seat as Messi returns home to mourn his father and support his family. Painful moment overshadows a crucial match There is an important soccer story developing around the Inter Miami-Monterrey meeting, but Messi’s absence puts everything else into perspective. The Leagues Cup remains important, particularly with both clubs fighting for a place in the knockout rounds, yet the circumstances surrounding the Argentine’s departure understandably dominate the conversation. Miami enters the match with three points after its opening victory, while Monterrey has no points after its defeat to Orlando City. The Mexican club needs a result, while Inter Miami wants to strengthen its position before its final Phase One fixtur
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