FC Cincinnati will open its 2025 Leagues Cup on Thursday at TQL Stadium, hosting Monterrey. The two sides know each other well. Last year, the Mexican club knocked Cincinnati out of the Concacaf Champions Cup with a 3-1 aggregate score, and that loss still stings. This will be just the third meeting between them, but the tension is real.
The tournament looks different this time. There’s no group stage anymore. Instead, the top four teams from each league will go straight to the quarterfinals. That means Cincinnati can’t afford a slow start, especially at home. The good news is they’re in form. Six wins, one draw and just a single defeat in the last eight matches have given the team confidence.
Evander is the key for Cincinnati
If there’s one player carrying the spotlight, it’s Evander. The Brazilian took over the role left by Luciano Acosta and has been excellent. Fifteen goals and eight assists in 23 MLS matches tell the story. He’s also proven in the Leagues Cup, scoring five goals in as many games during his time with the Portland Timbers.
One setback: forward Kévin Denkey won’t play. He’s still recovering from a leg injury. Even so, Cincinnati believes it can push further than in past editions. They had good starts the last two years but fell in the round of 16. Now, with the single-table format, the team wants to finally break through.
Monterrey leaning on veterans Ramos and Berterame
Monterrey enters the match with momentum. Two wins in three Liga MX games is a solid way to start the season. In defense, Sergio Ramos is still the leader. At 39, the former Real Madrid captain hasn’t missed a single minute so far and continues to command respect.
Up front, Germán Berterame has been the difference-maker. He’s scored all four of Monterrey’s goals in the opening weeks. Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres add creativity and balance to the attack, making the Mexican side dangerous from midfield to the final third.