Have you heard? Leagues Cup is back for more, and if this edition is even half as exciting as year one was, get ready for something special. The Loons made plenty of noise in their inaugural Leagues Cup run last season, making their way to the quarterfinals in style. With a new tournament right around the corner, it’s time to get pumped for another go-around with our friends from Liga MX, and what better way to do that than by reliving the magic of last year’s run?
Group Stage
The Loons were drawn into Group E last season, with Chicago Fire and Club Puebla for company. They hosted both affairs, opening the tournament with a dominant 4-0 victory over Puebla’s finest. Braces from Bongokuhle Hlongwane (remember the name) and Emanuel Reynoso powered the Black and Blue to the big scoreline, including a fantastic free-kick effort that left jaws on the floor.
The second match of the tournament saw Bongi stay hot, adding another brace to his tally in what turned into a crazy match. Despite being behind twice, the Fire completed the comebacks, as MLS goal-scoring legend Kei Kamara found the winner that gave Chicago the top spot in the group. Because the Fire had previously taken down Puebla, that meant that the two MLS sides would be advancing to the knockout stage, with the Loons facing the first-place team from Group D.
Round of 32
Though an opportunity to host Club América was possible, the legendary Mexican club finished second in Group D, meaning that a trip to Columbus, Ohio, deep in the heart of it all, was on the cards for MNUFC. Not only was it the club’s first trip to Ohio’s capital, it was Columbus-native Wil Trapp’s first time playing in the new stadium of his boyhood club. Storylines on storylines, people—it was a tournament dripping with storytelling opportunities.
The stage was set for an exhilarating match in a hostile atmosphere, as the Crew faithful made Lower.com Field a difficult venue to conquer. But Bongi’s early goal in the 17th minute foreshadowed another incredible performance, and when the Crew answered in the 42nd, it was game on. The second half saw bangers respond to bangers, timely goals swing momentum and emotions, and a last-second equalizer from Hassani Dotson that forced a shootout to determine the winner of the 3-3 barn-burner.
The Loons stepped up with their tournament on the line, winning the shootout 4-3 and proving that their form was no fluke. It was a gritty performance that saw Bongi make it six goals from three games, and neither he nor his teammates looked like slowing down.
Round of 16
The Black and Blue returned home for their next match, hosting the mighty Toluca for a shot at the quarterfinals. Toluca had already taken down three MLS sides by this point of the tournament, and the way they were playing, it felt like more would be added to the list. But Allianz Field is no easy place to play for visiting teams.
The Loons once again found themselves with an early lead, courtesy of Joseph Rosales. Bongi added his seventh goal of the tournament to double the advantage in the 32nd minute, and it looked like another potential blowout in favor of the hosts. However, Los Choriceros (the sausage-makers) never quit. A goal from center back Valber Huerta and a well-taken penalty from goalkeeper (yes, GOALKEEPER) Tiago Volpi leveled the score by the 75th minute, setting up a dramatic finish.
No one found the game-winner in the end, forcing a second consecutive shootout to decide the fate of the match. The Loons emerged triumphant (4-2), despite having played the last 20 minutes of the match down a man. It felt like a tournament of destiny, a trophy meant for Minnesota. But if Leagues Cup was meant to reside in the Twin Cities, it would have to wait at least one more season.
Quarter-Final
With just eight teams remaining in the tournament and just three wins separating each one from lifting the first Leagues Cup trophy, the Loons came up against eventual runners-up, Nashville SC. They traveled down to Music City with plenty of hope, and though they held firm for the better part of the first half, a 34th-minute red card to DJ Taylor and Nashville’s go-ahead goal in the 39th minute broke the Loons’ resolve and set the stage for a 5-0 drubbing from Hany Mukhtar and company.
It was an encouraging, entertaining performance from the Loons last season. Bongi’s goal-scoring exploits alone were enough to get the people going, but the debut of Teemu Pukki and the general level of play from the whole squad were a sight to behold. With most of the squad ready to go ahead of this year’s edition of Leagues Cup, it feels like there might be more where that 2023 magic came from.
