On a hot and humid Wednesday August 26, 2026, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California Club America outplayed Columbus Crew, earning a 2-0 victory to advance to the 2026 Leagues Cup semifinal round. America’s victory completes a Liga MX Leagues Cup quarterfinal sweep over MLS teams with victories by their semifinal opponent Monterrey; and Toluca and Leon that will play in the other game. Both semifinal games will be played on Wednesday September 2, 2026, with America hosting Monterrey at their Leagues Cup home Dignity Health Sports Park.

America is one of the largest cultural institutions in Mexico representing its capital city La Ciudad de Mexico. The team and millions of fans can be divisive and even arrogant with their economic power affording them opportunities not available to other Liga MX teams, including contracting foreign players who have contributed to their success. In today’s victory, America’s two goals were scored by the Uruguayan Brian Rodriguez and Brazilian Raphael Veiga. America’s international appeal was apparent on this side of the international border at Dignity Health Sports Park with their fans greatly outnumbering Columbus Crew fans. They showed dressed in their iconic yellow and blue, waving flags and banners, drinking Modelos and tequila, and grilling carne asada in the parking lot.

I came to the game with the intent to analyze the game through the play of Mexican American winger Alejandro Zendejas but he was out with an injury. I then focused my attention on Columbus Crew’s Cesar Ruvalcalba. He didn’t have any outstanding plays and exhibited a lot of effort running up and down the field, once losing the ball as he was attacking that resulted in a shot on goal for his opponent. Nonetheless, I enjoy writing on Mexican Americans performing in big stages like today’s nearly sold-out Leagues Cup 2026 quarterfinal game.