Club América Seeks Semifinal Spot Against Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup

Club América will face Columbus Crew on August 26, 2026, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, competing for a place in the semifinals of the tournament.

The Mexican side arrives with strong form, unbeaten in their last eight matches across competitions, including six wins and two draws, while leading the Liga MX Apertura. América scored seven goals in the group stage and is boosted by key players Henry Martín, Brian Rodríguez, and Isaías Violante.

América holds home advantage for the match, though it will be played in the United States as per tournament regulations, with strong fan support expected in Carson.

"This team is demanding. It doesn’t matter what you did last game, the next one is what counts," said Henry Martín. "We want to advance and show we are superior on the field."

Columbus Crew enters the match amid a challenging MLS season, sitting last in their conference with five wins, five draws, and 11 losses. Despite this, they remain unbeaten in the current Leagues Cup and are led by Spanish midfielder Brais Méndez, who has scored two goals in the tournament.

Interim coach Laurent Courtois expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, calling it "a luxury to play this type of match." The two teams previously met in the 2023 Leagues Cup group stage where Columbus won 4-1, but América avenged that loss by defeating Columbus in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup final via penalties.

"If you have superiority, you have to prove it on the field. Columbus has good players, and we will try to advance," said América coach Guillermo Almada. He emphasized the importance of focus and minimizing mistakes in the knockout format.

The Leagues Cup 2026 has seen Mexican teams dominate so far, with Monterrey and León already advancing to the semifinals and Toluca preparing to face Austin FC. The winner of the América vs. Columbus match will move closer to one of three spots allocated for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The match kicks off at 7:45 p.m. Pacific Time and will be broadcast on Apple TV+ and FS1 in the United States, with coverage also available on TUDN and Canal 9 in Mexico.