MATCH PREVIEW: Charlotte FC vs. Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup Round of 32

The below statement is from the Charlotte FC MLS Soccer Club.

Charlotte FC return to Texas today for their Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against Mexican side Cruz Azul on Thursday, August 3 at 8:30pm ET.

This summer’s inaugural Leagues Cup is a competition featuring all 47 first division clubs from MLS and Liga MX in a World Cup-style club tournament taking place from July 21 to August 19.

Both leagues have paused their respective regular seasons to participate in Leagues Cup. The champion, as well as the second and third place finishers, will qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup and have an opportunity to earn a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Charlotte FC won their group after defeating FC Dallas away in a penalty kick shootout and taking down Necaxa 4-1 at Bank of America Stadium. Cruz Azul finished second in their group after dropping a 2-1 result at Inter Miami but beating Atlanta United in a penalty kick shootout.

If the match is tied after regulation, no overtime periods will be played. The match will instead move straight into a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner.

The winner of the match will face Houston Dynamo FC in the Round of 16, after they beat Mexican champions Pachuca in a penalty kick shootout Wednesday night. A rematch with FC Dallas or a first match against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami would await in the quarterfinals.

Match: Leagues Cup Round of 32

Location: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX