Soccer <\/p>\n
The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> pressure cooker ramps up this week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Four MLS teams have Leg 2 contests against LIGA MX teams: LAFC<\/a> and Nashville SC<\/a> head down to Mexico for Tuesday evening tests, while Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> and LA Galaxy<\/a> return home Wednesday night.<\/p>\n The stakes are massive, to put it lightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n The aggregate winners advance to the CCC semifinals, moving one step closer to the May 30 final that grants a spot in the 2029\u00a0FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>\u00a0and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. There are also regional bragging rights, prize money and historic rivalries on the line.<\/p>\n So, what awaits MLS teams? Let\u2019s dive in \u2013\u00a0going from order of most likely to advance to least likely.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The quarterfinal matchups are set! \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/LsvanvPxc2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) March 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n LAFC are in the driver\u2019s seat thanks to a commanding 3-0 win<\/a> over Cruz Azul last week at BMO Stadium, led by a wonderful David Mart\u00ednez<\/a> brace and Son Heung-Min<\/a>‘s sliding finish.<\/p>\n That prompted the Black & Gold to rotate heavily for their Saturday trip to the Portland Timbers<\/a>. They suffered a 2-1 defeat<\/a> as a result, ending their place atop the Supporters\u2019 Shield and Western Conference standings, but odds are head coach Marc Dos Santos won\u2019t fret too much given the bigger picture and emphasis on capturing the CCC title.<\/p>\n LAFC have fallen heartbreakingly short in this competition before, losing the 2020 and 2023 finals. Now, with a 3-0 aggregate lead in tow, and the likes of Son and Mart\u00ednez well rested, the Black & Gold are favored to advance.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
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