Cruz Azul has snatched back the crown after beating the Santos Laguna in the 2021 Liga MX Guard1anes Final match, ending their 24 years of championship drought.
The Club World Cup is not generally looked upon as an upper echelon competition because is not particularly competitive and overly predictable. So when Real Madrid headed to play its first game on Tuesday against Cruz Azul, few expected anything but a blowout in favor of the Spanish squad. And that is what they got. But it was far from a cakewalk. Here are some big takeaways from the game.
Landon Donovan, looking to win his sixth MLS Cup before he retires, scores a hat trick against Real Salt Lake on Sunday helping the LA Galaxy advance into the Western Conference finals. In Liga MX action, eight teams -- including Ronaldinho's Querétaro club -- are vying for four spots in the 2014 Apertura Liguilla with one game left in the season.
With the playoffs set to start on Wednesday, the Seattle Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy to capture the Supporters' Shield -- given to the club with the best record in Major League Soccer while New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips tied Chris Wondolowski and Roy Lassiter for the MLS season goal record. In Liga MX action, Queretaro, trying to slide into the last 2014 Liguilla playoff spot upset league leader Club América, keeping with pace with Cruz Azul.
Also, Atlas fails to catch Club America after losing to Toluca in Liga MX action, while Toronto FC is eliminated from a postseason berth despite having spent $100 million during the offseason on English Premier League striker Jermain Defoe and U.S. national team midfielder Michael Bradley.
New CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) President Juan Ángel Napout recently expressed interest in expanding Copa Libertadores participation hoping to invite CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) clubs, including Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.
