With FC Dallas' 3-1 loss to Toluca on Aug. 12, the Crew have clinched one of the top four MLS spots for the 2026 Leagues Cup and are moving on to the knockout stage for the first time in two years.
The Crew won their first two games in regulation against Atlas FC and FC Pachuca, worth three points each, then bested Pumas UNAM in a penalty kick shootout on Aug. 11 to gain two more points.
Dallas' loss guarantees no more than three teams can climb past the Crew in the standings, earning them a spot in the quarterfinal round.
Because seeding is not yet finalized, it has not yet been determined whether the Crew will host their quarterfinal game or play a Liga MX team in Mexico. The window for quarterfinal games is from Aug. 25-27.
Last year, the Crew were eliminated from the Leagues Cup tournament after finishing fifth in the group stage. The Crew suffered a penalty kick loss against Toluca FC and won their later two games, ending with seven points and a +3 goal differential. Inter Miami, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders all pulled ahead in the standings by the group stage's end, with Orlando City and Portland recording higher goal differentials to advance via the first tiebreaker.
The Crew won the 2024 Leagues Cup tournament with a 3-1 victory against Los Angeles FC in the final. Former Crew striker Cucho Hernandez scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time, his second goal of the night.
Through three games in this year's tournament. Newly acquired Crew forward Brais Mendez leads the team with two goals. He also recorded an assist on Tarun Karumanchi's first Crew goal during the 1-1 (3-2 in penalties) victory against Pumas.
The Crew get their official seeding once group stage games conclude on Aug. 13.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew clinch spot in knockout round of 2026 Leagues Cup
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