Club América Survives Three Shootouts as Leagues Cup 2025 Ends with Seattle’s Historic Win

When Club América edged past the Portland Timbers in a 5–3 penalty shootout on Matchday 3 of the Leagues Cup 2025North America, they didn’t just advance—they became the tournament’s most unlikely survivors. Three straight knockout matches. Three straight penalty shootouts. No wins in regulation. Just nerves, grit, and a goalkeeper who refused to blink. Meanwhile, their Liga MX rivals, CF Monterrey, vanished quietly after a 2–3 loss to FC Cincinnati and a draw against the New York Red Bulls that barely kept them alive before crashing out. While América danced on the edge of elimination, the real story unfolded in Seattle, where the Seattle Sounders FC crushed Inter Miami CF 3–0 to claim their first-ever Leagues Cup title.

América’s Gritty Path Through Chaos

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But for Club América, survival was victory. On Matchday 1, they tied Real Salt Lake 2–2, then won the shootout 3–1 after a tense, error-filled sequence where both teams missed twice before América’s fifth taker buried it. Matchday 2 brought a wild 3–3 draw with Minnesota United FC—a match that saw six goals, two red cards, and a shootout that lasted eight rounds. América’s 8–7 win was the longest in tournament history, with both teams converting their first seven penalties before Minnesota’s eighth shooter sent his shot wide. Then came Matchday 3: a 1–1 stalemate against the Portland Timbers. Again, penalties. Again, América held firm. Five shots. Five goals. The final kick sealed their spot in the quarterfinals.

What made this run remarkable wasn’t just the volume of shootouts—it was the psychological toll. Most teams rely on momentum, clean possession, or star strikers. América had none of that. They were outshot in all three games. Their midfield was disjointed. Their defense was shaky. But their penalty takers? Cold. Calm. Unshakable. Goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, 40, made one crucial save in the Minnesota shootout and commanded the box like a veteran chess master. "It’s not about technique," he told reporters afterward. "It’s about who wants it more. We wanted it more."

Monterrey’s Collapse Under Pressure

By contrast, CF Monterrey looked like a team unraveling. Their opening match against FC Cincinnati ended in a 2–3 defeat—a result that stunned fans who expected Monterrey to dominate. Their second match, a 1–1 draw with the New York Red Bulls, was salvaged by a 5–3 shootout win, but the performance was hollow. Players looked exhausted. Coach Diego Alonso admitted post-match: "We didn’t play like a team that believed it could win. We played like a team waiting for luck."

And luck ran out. With no official report on their final match, the only confirmed record is the one from SoccerPunter.com: one draw, two losses. No goals scored in regulation in their final two games. No clean sheet. No momentum. Monterrey’s exit wasn’t just a failure—it was a signal. After years of being Liga MX’s most consistent international performer, they looked brittle under pressure. The same team that reached the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final now couldn’t even make it past the group stage.

Seattle’s Dominance and the League’s New Power Dynamic

While América scraped by and Monterrey faded, Seattle Sounders FC delivered a masterclass. Their final against Inter Miami CF at Lumen Field was never in doubt. Raúl Ruidíaz opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Nicolás Lodeiro added a penalty in the 57th. Jordan Morris sealed it with a thunderous strike in the 78th. The 3–0 win wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement. Seattle, a team that’s built its identity on consistency and tactical discipline, proved they could dominate even when facing a star-studded Miami side led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

The win marked Seattle’s first Leagues Cup title and their first major trophy since the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. More importantly, it cemented MLS’s growing parity. No longer is the tournament just a showcase for Liga MX giants. Teams like Seattle, Columbus, and Orlando are now legitimate threats. The gap is closing. The stakes are rising.

What This Means for North American Soccer

The Leagues Cup 2025 wasn’t just about trophies. It was about identity. América’s survival through three shootouts proved that mental toughness can outweigh technical superiority. Monterrey’s exit exposed a vulnerability in Mexico’s traditional powerhouses. And Seattle’s triumph showed that MLS clubs are no longer just participants—they’re contenders.

For fans, it meant more drama. More unpredictability. More reasons to care. In 2025, the Leagues Cup became more than a summer exhibition. It became a true cross-border battleground. And for the first time, the winner didn’t come from the most expensive roster or the loudest fanbase. It came from the team that stayed composed when everything else fell apart.

What’s Next?

The 2026 edition will expand to 47 teams, including new MLS and Liga MX entrants. Expect more high-stakes group-stage matchups. More shootouts. More pressure on clubs to build depth. For América, the question is whether they can replicate this resilience next year—or if their luck ran out. For Monterrey, the challenge is rebuilding confidence before the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. And for Seattle? They’ll enter next season as favorites. The bar has been raised.