FC Dallas Starts Leagues Cup 2026 with a Win – And What Happened with "El Rebaño" in Penalties?

What Is the Leagues Cup Anyway?

Think of the Leagues Cup like a big summer tournament where teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA/Canada play against teams from Liga MX in Mexico. It’s a chance for bragging rights between the two leagues!

Match 1: FC Dallas vs. Querétaro – Dallas Takes the Win

• Who played: FC Dallas (MLS) vs. Querétaro (Liga MX)
• When: Matchday 1 of Leagues Cup 2026
• Result: FC Dallas won!
• Why it matters: This gives Dallas their first 3 points in the group stage. Now they want to keep the momentum going.

Important Point: FC Dallas is trying to join FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew as the teams that grabbed a second win on Friday. Two wins usually means you’re almost guaranteed to advance to the knockout rounds!

Match 2: "El Rebaño" (Chivas) and the Penalty Shootout Heartbreak

The first paragraph talks about a different team: Chivas de Guadalajara, nicknamed "El Rebaño" (The Herd).

• They played a match that ended in a tie after regular time.
• To decide the winner, they went to a penalty shootout (best of 5 kicks from the penalty spot).
• Chivas lost the shootout, which means they only got 1 point instead of 2 (in some tournament formats, a shootout win gives an extra point).
• Two key players missed their penalties:
  1. Kevin Castañeda
  2. Luis Romo

Important Point: Missing a penalty is tough! Even pros feel the pressure. It doesn’t make them bad players – it’s just part of the game.

How Does a Penalty Shootout Work? (Numbered Steps)

1. Tie after 90 minutes? Go to penalties.
2. Five players from each team take turns shooting from 12 yards (11 meters) out.
3. Goalkeeper tries to save it.
4. Team with most goals after 5 kicks wins.
5. Still tied? Sudden death – one kick each until someone misses and the other scores.

Key Players & Teams Mentioned

• Kevin Castañeda – Chivas midfielder, missed a crucial penalty.
• Luis Romo – Chivas midfielder, also missed in the shootout.
• FC Dallas – MLS team, won their opener vs Querétaro.
• Querétaro – Liga MX team, lost to FC Dallas.
• FC Cincinnati & Columbus Crew – MLS teams who already have 2 wins.

What’s Next for FC Dallas?

1. Rest & recover – Tournament schedule is tight.
2. Prepare for Matchday 2 – Opponent depends on group draw.
3. Target a second win – To lock in a spot in the Round of 32.
4. Watch other results – Especially Cincinnati and Crew.

Summary

• FC Dallas started Leagues Cup 2026 strong with a win over Querétaro.
• They now chase a second win to follow FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew.
• Meanwhile, Chivas ("El Rebaño") suffered penalty shootout heartbreak, with Kevin Castañeda and Luis Romo missing their kicks, leaving them with just 1 point.

FAQ

Q: What is the Leagues Cup?
A: An annual tournament where MLS teams (USA/Canada) face Liga MX teams (Mexico). All matches count for official standings.

Q: Why do penalty shootouts happen?
A: If a knockout-stage match (or group-stage match in some formats) is tied after 90 minutes, a shootout decides the winner without extra time.

Q: Do missed penalties mean a player is bad?
A: Absolutely not! Even legends like Messi and Ronaldo have missed. It’s high pressure – 12 yards, everyone watching, one shot.

Q: How many points for a win in Leagues Cup group stage?
A: Typically 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss, 0 for a regulation loss.

Q: Can FC Dallas qualify with two wins?
A: Yes! Two wins (6 points) almost always guarantees advancement to the knockout stage.