BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Puso Dithejane scored twice, including the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time, as Chicago Fire FC defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 Thursday night at SeatGeek Stadium.
The victory completed a perfect opening phase of the 2026 Leagues Cup for Chicago and secured the Fire a place in the tournament’s knockout stage.
After a scoreless first half, Dithejane broke the deadlock in the 67th minute to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Cruz Azul responded in the 81st minute when Nicolás Ibáñez found the net, setting up a tense finish between the MLS and Liga MX clubs.
With the match appearing headed for a 1-1 draw, Dithejane delivered the decisive moment in the third minute of stoppage time. His late goal restored Chicago’s advantage and sent the home crowd into celebration.
The Fire protected the lead through the remaining minutes and closed the match with a 2-1 victory.
Dithejane’s performance proved decisive on a night when Chicago faced one of Mexico’s most recognized clubs. The South African attacker scored both of the Fire’s goals and gave the team its third consecutive victory in the opening phase of the competition.
Chicago began its Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Club Necaxa before defeating Santos Laguna 3-1. Thursday’s victory over Cruz Azul gave the Fire nine points from three matches.
The result also marked a reversal of the clubs’ previous Leagues Cup meeting. Cruz Azul defeated Chicago 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium during the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2019.
Leagues Cup brings together clubs from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. The top four teams from each league advance from the opening phase to the quarterfinals, where MLS and Liga MX teams continue to face one another.
Chicago will now turn its attention to the knockout round as it continues its pursuit of the club’s first Leagues Cup championship.
