Rivalries Reignite as América-Cruz Azul and Galaxy-Tigres Battle in Quarterfinals

The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals kick off Tuesday with two marquee matchups. Mexico City hosts another edition of the historic Clásico Joven between Club América and Cruz Azul, while in California, LA Galaxy welcome Tigres UANL in a battle of champions.

Club América enters the quarterfinals as the tournament’s most decorated team, with seven titles. After entering the competition in the Round of 16 thanks to back-to-back Liga MX titles, Las Águilas cruised past CD Guadalajara with a 4-1 aggregate win. Brian Rodríguez was the standout, scoring in the second leg and creating two more goals to guide his team into the next round.

• Read more: Brian Rodríguez responds to Faravelli and heats up the clash between América and Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul also boasts an illustrious history, with six Champions Cup titles to their name. They began their run with a 7-0 aggregate win over Real Hope FA, then defeated Seattle Sounders 4-1 in the Round of 16. Ángel Sepúlveda leads the tournament’s scoring chart with four goals.

Later, LA Galaxy hosts Tigres at Dignity Health Sports Park. The reigning MLS Cup champions came back from a 1-0 first leg loss to defeat CS Herediano 4-2 on aggregate. Goals came from Julián Aude, Miguel Berry, Gabriel Pec and Christian Ramirez.

Tigres, with a strong continental pedigree, dispatched Real Estelí and FC Cincinnati en route to the quarters. Ozziel Herrera and Nicolás Ibáñez have each scored twice, giving the Liga MX giants plenty of firepower for the decisive phase of the tournament.