The Columbus Crew’s defense of its 2024 Leagues Cup title got off to a rocky start as the club fell to current Mexican champions Toluca in a penalty shootout after blowing a 2-0 lead in regulation at Lower.

Columbus Crew have dropped leads in the second half in the last two games, including against Liga MX's Toluca FC. Is fatigue to blame?

Paulinho scored on an acrobatic bicycle kick in the 26th minute to put Toluca ahead in a 2-1 victory over CF Montreal in their Matchday 2 clash in Phase One of the Leagues Cup on Friday night in Harrison,

The Columbus Crew had multiple opportunities to put Toluca FC away in Leagues Cup group play but failed to do so and were defeated in PKs.

Paulinho scored twice late in regulation, then Luis Manuel Garcia pulled off some penalty-saving heroics as visiting CF Toluca triumphed on penalties after rallying to a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew on Tuesday night in both teams' Leagues Cup opener.

Columbus Crew blew a 2-0 lead against Toluca FC in the Leagues Cup group stage, and went to PKs where they fell 4-2.

Toluca FC fans arrive prior to the Leagues Cup match against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field in Columbus on July 29, 2025. Columbus Crew and Toluca FC fans arrive for the Leagues Cup match at Lower.