If you were watching the Leagues Cup back in July 2025, you know exactly why people are still talking about the Deportivo Toluca F.C. vs Columbus Crew matches. It wasn't just a game. It was a complete psychological meltdown for one side and a masterclass in "never say die" for the other.
Honestly, the atmosphere at Lower.com Field in Columbus was electric, but by the end, it felt more like a library for the home fans. Most people expected the Crew—the defending MLS Cup champions at the time—to walk away with an easy three points. They had the lead. They had the momentum. They had the crowd.
Then Paulinho happened.
The Night Columbus Lost the Script
Let’s look at the facts because the scoreboard only tells half the story. The Crew started like a house on fire. By the 11th minute, Diego Rossi tucked away a penalty after Luan Garcia got a bit too handsy with Daniel Gazdag in the box. 1-0. Easy.
When the second half kicked off, it looked like game over. Max Arfsten scored a beauty in the 48th minute, thanks to some slick work by Jacen Russell-Rowe. 2-0. At that point, you’ve basically won the game, right?
Wrong.
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Toluca, known in Liga MX as the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils), started playing like they actually had something to prove. They dominated possession—about 56% to 44%—and just kept hounding the Columbus backline. The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute when Paulinho capitalized on a rare mistake by Patrick Schulte.
Suddenly, the "it's just a 2-0 lead" curse started to feel very real. Nine minutes later, Paulinho rose above everyone to head in the equalizer. 2-2.
That Final Penalty Drama
Here is the part most people forget or maybe just blocked out because it was so stressful. Columbus actually had a chance to win it in regulation. Late in the game, they got another penalty. Diego Rossi stepped up again.
Luis Garcia, the Toluca keeper, basically said "not today."
He guessed right, made a massive diving save, and pushed the match into a shootout. In the Leagues Cup, there are no draws. You go straight to the spot.
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The shootout was a disaster for the Crew. Rossi missed (again). Amar Sejdic missed. Meanwhile, Toluca’s shooters—Alexis Vega, Luan Garcia, Bruno Méndez, and Jesús Gallardo—were clinical. Hélio Castro (Helinho) stepped up for the final kick and absolutely buried it.
Final result: 2-2 in regulation, but Toluca takes the "win" 4-2 on penalties.
Why This Matchup Matters for the Future
When you look at the stats, Toluca didn't just fluke their way into a comeback. They outshot the Crew 21 to 8. They had 8 shots on target compared to the Crew’s 3.
- Tactical Flexibility: Wilfried Nancy is a genius, but Toluca’s coach (Antonio Mohamed at the time) figured out how to bypass the Crew's press by using the width of the pitch.
- Physicality: There were six yellow cards in this match. It was chippy. It was loud. It felt like a proper continental rivalry.
- The Paulinho Factor: You cannot give a striker of that caliber an inch. Columbus gave him a foot, and he took the whole game.
It’s interesting to note that Columbus actually struggled with this specific type of pressure all season. They had a similar collapse against Orlando City just days before the Toluca match. It seems like the "Black & Gold" have a bit of a kryptonite when it comes to holding leads against high-pressing Liga MX sides.
Historical Context: Is This a Rivalry?
Technically, these two don't play every week. They aren't in the same league. But the Deportivo Toluca F.C. vs Columbus Crew matches represent the larger "MLS vs Liga MX" war that has been brewing for years.
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Toluca is a titan of Mexican soccer with 10 league titles. Columbus is the blueprint for how a modern MLS club should be run. When they meet, it’s a clash of styles: the tactical, possession-based "Nancy-ball" versus the flair and clinical finishing of the Mexican giants.
If you're looking to understand why these games rank so high in fan interest, look at the attendance. Even with a mid-week kickoff, over 20,000 people showed up in Ohio. The TV ratings were huge. It’s the kind of match that makes the Leagues Cup actually feel like it matters.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the next installment of this matchup or looking to bet on future games, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Keeper battle: Luis Garcia proved he can win games single-handedly in shootouts. If a match is heading toward the 80th minute level, the advantage swings heavily to Toluca.
- The 2-0 Danger Zone: Columbus has a documented history of mental lapses when leading by two goals. Look for "Live Betting" opportunities if they go up early.
- Possession vs. Efficiency: Toluca will likely always win the possession battle, but the Crew is more dangerous on the counter-attack with Rossi and Cucho Hernández (when available).
- Venue Matters: While Toluca won in Columbus, playing at the Nemesio Diez stadium in Mexico is a completely different beast due to the altitude.
The next time these two face off, don't expect a boring 0-0 draw. History shows us that these teams don't know how to play "safe" soccer against each other. They trade blows until someone finally blinks.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the next window, especially regarding the Crew's defensive depth, as that was their undoing last time. Whether it's in the Champions Cup or another Leagues Cup run, this is quickly becoming one of the "must-watch" cross-border fixtures in North America.