Chivas Breaks League Cup Drought: A Victory Long Awaited by the Sheep
Chivas Struggle to Progress in Leagues Cup
In the world of football, success is not always guaranteed, and this is a lesson that Mexican club Chivas have learned time and again in the Leagues Cup. The team, coached by Gabriel Milito, has been participating in the tournament since its inception in 2023, but progressing past the group stage has remained elusive.
The 2023 Leagues Cup saw Chivas face off against FC Cincinnati, a match they lost 1-3. This trend continued in the subsequent years, with the team failing to advance beyond the group stage for the first three years of the tournament. However, in 2025, Chivas finally broke the curse, securing their first outright Leagues Cup victory against FC Cincinnati with a score of 2-1.
The turning point came in the form of a penalty kick, expertly converted by Efraín Álvarez at the 25th minute, and a goal by Armando González at the 57th minute. Despite this historic win, Chivas still failed to qualify for the knockout stages for the third consecutive year.
Prior to their victory against FC Cincinnati, Chivas had a dismal record in the Leagues Cup. They had lost all three of their matches, with each defeat coming by a margin of at least one goal. This streak included a 0-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City in 2023 and a 1-2 defeat to San José Earthquakes in a penalty shootout in 2024.
Chivas' struggles in the Leagues Cup are a stark contrast to their domestic success. Known as one of Mexico's most successful clubs, Chivas boast 12 league titles and numerous other major trophies. However, their Leagues Cup performances have yet to mirror their domestic dominance.
Despite their challenges in the Leagues Cup, Chivas continue to participate in the tournament, hoping to one day match their domestic success on the international stage. For now, they will look to build on their 2025 victory and aim for deeper runs in future competitions.
[1] Chivas' 2025 Leagues Cup Victory [2] Chivas' 2025 Leagues Cup Win Over FC Cincinnati [3] Chivas' Struggles in the Leagues Cup [4] Chivas' 2025 Leagues Cup Campaign [5] Chivas' Domestic Success
During their 2025 campaign in the Leagues Cup, Mexican club Chivas, managed by Gabriel Milito, claimed their first victory in the competition, defeating FC Cincinnati with a score of 2-1. This achievement, a significant breakthrough in their Leagues Cup history, occurred in the midst of their continuing struggles to progress beyond the group stage in European-leagues driven tournaments, such as football's Laliga. Despite their domestic success, which includes 12 league titles and numerous other major trophies, Chivas' Leagues Cup performances have yet to match their domestic dominance.
