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Colorado Rapids Stuns Club America in Leagues Cup Upset
MLS Underdogs Triumph Over Mexican Powerhouse
Rapids Advance to Semi-Finals, Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union Join Them
(Denver, CO - July 22, 2023) - Major League Soccer (MLS) underdog Colorado Rapids stunned Liga MX giants Club America 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup on Saturday, securing a place in the semi-finals.
Rapids' Upset Victory
* The Rapids, who won the MLS Cup last season, took an early lead through a Diego Rubio goal.
* Club America equalized in the second half, but the Rapids regained the lead with a Jack Price penalty.
* Michael Barrios sealed the victory with a late goal, sending Club America crashing out of the tournament.
MLS Teams Advance
* Reigning MLS champions Columbus Crew also advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Liga MX's Atlas.
* The Philadelphia Union joined them after a 3-1 win over FC Juarez.
Leagues Cup Expansion
* The Leagues Cup, which brings together MLS and Liga MX teams, is expanding to a 16-team format in 2024.
* The group stage schedule, venues, and bracket were announced Thursday.
* The tournament aims to increase the value of both leagues and attract more viewers.
Background
* The Leagues Cup is a single-elimination tournament that began in 2019.
* MLS teams have won two of the three previous editions.
* The tournament is seen as a way for MLS to improve its global standing and for Liga MX to expand its reach into the United States.
Conclusion
The Colorado Rapids' upset victory over Club America is a testament to the growing strength of MLS. With three teams advancing to the semi-finals, MLS is sending a message that it can compete with the best of Liga MX. The Leagues Cup is a major opportunity for both leagues to showcase their talent and increase their popularity.