Red Bulls to Start 2025 Leagues Cup Run Against Chivas Guadalajara

The New York Red Bulls open their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign on Thursday, July 31, with a group stage matchup against Chivas Guadalajara. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The Leagues Cup is an annual tournament featuring top clubs from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. It started in 2019 with just eight teams, but in 2023 expanded to include every team from both leagues. The competition now serves as a regional cup for CONCACAF and acts as a pathway to the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The top three finishers qualify for that tournament, with the Leagues Cup champion earning a direct spot in the Round of 16.

In 2025, the format shifted a bit. The field now includes the top 18 MLS clubs from the previous season and all clubs from Liga MX. The Red Bulls were among the top MLS teams selected and will begin group play against one of Mexico’s most historic clubs.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between New York and Chivas Guadalajara. The Red Bulls hold a 2-1-1 advantage in the series, although Chivas eliminated them from the 2018 CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. New York has performed well at home in international competitions, going unbeaten in their last 11 non-MLS regular season matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel is expected to play a key role. He recorded two clean sheets in the 2023 edition of the tournament and leads MLS in saves this season. His 47 career shutouts rank second in club history.

After facing Chivas, the Red Bulls will travel to Cincinnati to take on C.F. Monterrey at TQL Stadium on August 5 in their second group stage match.