The Crew have been officially eliminated.
Their run in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament is done following the results of the Aug. 6 matchups.
Under the event’s new format, only four MLS and four Liga MX teams advance to the knockout stage. Who advances is determined by three interleague group-stage games.
The Crew were the top ranked MLS team in the tournament standings after a penalty kick loss against Toluca FC, a victory over Club Puebla and a 1-0 victory against Club Leon. They had seven points and a plus-three differential.
However, of the 12 MLS teams playing in the two days following the Crew’s victory, eight had the potential to jump Columbus, and enough teams had already leaped the Crew the next night to eliminate them.
Inter Miami, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders all pulled ahead. The LA Galaxy, FC Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls also have the potential to finish in front of the Crew depending on the outcome of their Aug. 7 games.
Orlando City, Portland and Columbus ended up with the same number of points, but Orlando City and Portland recorded higher goal differentials, which is the first tie-breaker.
The Crew went into the tournament as the reigning champions, winning the Leagues Cup title last year after getting a bye into the knockout round due to being the 2023 MLS Cup champions.
With their regular-season meeting with New York City FC being rescheduled, the Crew have over a week off from play and will return to action on the road against Toronto FC on Aug. 16.
bmackay@dispatch.com
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew officially eliminated from Leagues Cup due to goal differential
Reporting by Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
