iStockphoto / filipfoto
A Leagues Cup match on Monday between the Chicago Fire (MLS) and Puebla (Liga MX) was settled by 9-10 penalty kicks in one of the most comical goal keeping displays in years.
I’m not here to tell any professional athlete to quit their job because they’ve obviously ascended to their level for a reason. But if I’m either keeper, I’m putting in some extra time this week after the 9-10 PKs where every single ball was flying past them.
This came on Match Day 3 of 3 in the Leagues Cup (group stage) which an annual tournament (since 2019) between MLS and Liga MX. I’m not sure I’ve ever paid this much attention to a match until now:
https://youtu.be/gkAOyLqb2pA?t=559
Ultimately, Puebla advanced 10-9 on penalties. That is not a good look for the Chicago Fire.
Puebla sits 17th of 18 spots in the Liga MX standings after 3 matches played. They finished last season in 11th. That said, the Chicago Fire were also a bit of a dumpster fire last season and finished 12th in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Does it really matter though? Not so much. The Chicago Fire sit in 1st place (4pts) in Group E with Puebla in 3rd (2pts) and Puebla has a -4 goal differential which will be difficult to overcome at this stage.