Chicago Fire clinch Leagues Cup knockout spot with 2-1 win over Cruz Azul

Chicago Fire FC earned a place in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals after a 2-1 triumph over Liga MX side Cruz Azul, marking the only MLS club to win all three Phase One games outright. South African newcomer Puso Dithejane opened the scoring and later netted a late winner from a Maren Haile-Selassie pass, underscoring his rapid rise since joining from TS Galaxy. Coach Gregg Berhalter emphasized the team's awareness of the match's stakes and praised Dithejane's work ethic and potential.

The Fire entered the knockout stage after earlier victories over Necaxa and Santos Laguna, while Cruz Azul had also won its first two matches. Chicago now prepares to face CF Monterrey, a side bolstered by former Fire striker Hugo Cuypers, who transferred for a $7.5 million fee in July.