Leagues Cup 2025: León loses 2-0 to New York City FC

Led by Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, who missed a penalty, León was on the brink of elimination from the 2025 Leagues Cup after losing 2-0 to New York City FC on Friday in a match on the second day of the group stage.

With a goal and an assist, Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez left La Fiera in a very bad position, with one point remaining with one game remaining in the first round.

Martinez, 26, scored his first goal of the competition in the seventh minute when he finished off a triangle inside the penalty area at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

"Alonso has had a tough time not scoring in recent matches," said Las Palomas coach Pascal Jansen. "When he goes out onto the pitch and enjoys himself, that's when we see his best."

In the 32nd minute, and after a quick transition by New York City , the Costa Rican showed his worth again by enabling the Argentine Agustín Ojeda, who, unmarked, defined at the far post for the 2-0.

The New York team came into the match needing a win after losing 3-0 to Puebla in the opening round of the North American tournament, which pits 36 clubs from Mexico and MLS against each other in American and Canadian stadiums.

León, who lost on penalties to Montreal in their debut, struggled to gain possession and were rarely able to get into the home side's penalty area to try to equalize the score.

In the second half, the Mexican side had a chance to reduce the deficit, but Matt Freese saved a penalty from Rodríguez, who had a poor game with few attacking opportunities.

"With the penalty, we got back into the game," lamented La Fiera coach Eduardo Berizzo. "We need to be much more solid with set pieces, find a pattern of play that allows us to play deep in the opponent's half and create danger."

The champion marches firmly

In other results on Friday, defending champion Columbus Crew defeated Puebla 3-1 to earn four points, putting them firmly in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The black and gold team took control of the match with two goals in two minutes, the first in the 14th minute by Danish player Malte Amundsen and then by Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi, with a cool finish inside the box.

Columbus, which lost from the penalty spot to Toluca in its debut, took advantage of the space behind Puebla's defenders, and Argentine Andrés Herrera made it 3-0.

Before the end of the first half, Esteban Lozano scored the goal that gave the visitors a stoppage time goal from a set piece.

Despite the defeat, Puebla, led by Argentine Pablo Guede, remains in the fight for qualification after their victory in the first round against New York City (3-0).

League Cup matches that are tied are decided by a penalty shootout. The winner earns an additional point beyond the score awarded for a draw.