The Columbus Crew are set for a pivotal Leagues Cup group-stage match as they host Club Puebla at Lower.com Field on Friday, August 1. With kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, the game carries significant weight for the Crew’s ambitions to advance in the tournament following a challenging start.
In their opening match, the Crew let a 2-0 lead slip against Toluca FC, ultimately falling 4-2 in a penalty shootout. While the regulation-time draw secured them one point, it places them in a precarious position. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Crew are currently behind 10 other MLS teams in the tournament standings, making a victory against Puebla essential to keep their knockout round hopes alive.
“It’s kind of a new, different feeling,” Crew midfielder Max Arfsten told the Dispatch. “Most games, you don’t go into PKs and still be alive in the tournament, so to speak. But we can still advance; it’s a true statement. So, we’re just going to ride with that.”
The 2025 Leagues Cup features a revamped format where 18 teams from MLS and 18 from Liga MX each play three cross-league matches in Phase One. Teams earn three points for a regulation win, two for a shootout win, and one for a shootout loss, with points tallied on separate league tables. The top four teams from each league will advance to an eight-team knockout stage, with the tournament’s top three finishers earning a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
While the Crew entered the tournament as the fourth-ranked team, their opponents, Club Puebla, were ranked 35th out of 36 participants. However, Puebla started their campaign strong with a decisive 3-0 victory over New York City FC, securing three points and an early lead in the Liga MX table for the tournament. This makes them a formidable opponent despite their initial ranking.
Crew coach Wilfried Nancy has embraced the challenge of facing top Mexican competition. “I’m really excited, I like to play against different styles of play,” Nancy said, as reported by Digital Trends Today. “It’s going to be three new teams that we haven’t played. So, really happy. It’s good teams, good players, different mentality, so it’s perfect.”
For Friday’s match, the Columbus Crew’s starting lineup is expected to feature Evan Bush in goal, with a defense of Malte Amundsen, Steven Moreira, and Sean Zawadzki. The midfield will likely consist of Max Arfsten, Dylan Chambost, Andres Herrera, and Darlington Nagbe, supporting a forward line of Ibrahim Aliyu, Taha Habroune, and Diego Rossi. Club Puebla’s starting eleven is anticipated to include Jesus Rodriguez (GK), Juan Fedorco (DF), Jose Pachuca (DF), Luis Rey (DF), Nicolas Diaz (MF), Pablo Gamarra (MF), Owen Gonzalez (MF), Alejandro Gonzalez (MF), Miguel Ramirez (MF), Emiliano Gomez (FW), and Esteban Lozano (FW).
Fans planning to attend should be aware of road closures in the Arena District due to the Pelotonia cycling event. The club encourages early arrival, with gates at Lower.com Field opening at 5:30 p.m. For those watching from home, the match will be streamed globally on Apple TV with an MLS Season Pass subscription. The English-language radio broadcast is available on Alt 105.7 FM and the iHeartRadio app, with a Spanish broadcast on La Grande 103.1 FM.
Following the match against Puebla, the Crew will conclude their Phase One schedule at home against Club Leon on August 5.
