Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena), Harrison, New Jersey. Neutral-site quarterfinal. Toluca earned hosting privileges as a top Liga MX qualifier, but the match is assigned to this MLS venue.
Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT.
Available on Apple TV, with additional coverage on UniMás/TUDN, FS1, and others.
Weather Forecast (Harrison, NJ / New York metro area)
Late August conditions typically feature mild-to-warm evenings with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F and lows in the 60s°F. Partly cloudy skies are common, with a chance of afternoon or evening showers/thunderstorms (variable 20–50% range in regional patterns). Light to moderate winds expected; monitor for possible brief interruptions but generally playable conditions for an evening kickoff.
Current Rosters (Key Players)
Austin FC (Manager: Davy Arnaud): GK Brad Stuver; defenders Guilherme Biro, Jon Gallagher, Oleksandr Svatok, Brendan Hines-Ike, Jon Bell, Žan Kolmanič; midfielders Ilie Sánchez, Besard Šabović, Joseph Rosales, Facundo Torres, Owen Wolff (when available); forwards Myrto Uzuni (tournament standout), Brandon Vázquez, Jayden Nelson, Christian Ramirez, and others. Strong attacking options led by Uzuni’s form.
Toluca FC (Diablos Rojos; Manager: Antonio “Turco” Mohamed): Key figures include GK Hugo González or Luis García; defenders Jesús Gallardo, Federico Pereira, Bruno Méndez, Diego Barbosa, Brian García; midfielders Alexis Vega, Jesús Angulo, Franco Romero, Víctor Guzmán; attackers Helinho, Federico Viñas, and supporting cast. Depth impacted by injuries but still technically strong.
Injury Reports
Austin FC: Owen Wolff (ankle, out). Additional reports have noted occasional absences for players like Mikkel Desler (Achilles issues in broader context) and Jon Bell (pubic bone irritation), but Wolff is the primary confirmed recent absence. Core attackers including Uzuni and Torres expected available.
Toluca FC: Multiple absences, including Édgar “Gacelo” López (knee surgery, out indefinitely); Érick Gutiérrez and Santiago Simón (recently confirmed out); Paulinho (calf/recovery); Marcel Ruiz (knee/long-term); and others such as Nicolás Castro in some reports. Significant depth challenges in midfield and attack.
Key Player Matchups
- Myrto Uzuni (Austin) vs. Toluca center-backs (Pereira/Méndez): Uzuni leads the tournament with a joint-high four goals (including a hat trick vs. Puebla and equalizer vs. América). His movement and finishing will test Toluca’s defensive structure.
- Alexis Vega / Helinho / Federico Viñas (Toluca) vs. Austin backline (Svatok/Hines-Ike/Biro): Vega’s creativity and the Diablos’ wide threats against Austin’s organized defense, which has been solid in Phase One.
- Facundo Torres / Joseph Rosales (Austin) vs. Toluca midfield: Austin’s wide play and transitions against Toluca’s technical midfield control.
- Fullback battles: Gallagher/Biro overlapping vs. Gallardo and Toluca’s wing-backs.
- Goalkeeper duel: Stuver’s shot-stopping experience for Austin against Toluca’s keepers in a neutral venue.
Austin’s high-pressing, transitional style under Arnaud contrasts with Toluca’s possession-oriented Liga MX approach and counter threats.
Recent Team Forms
Austin FC: Unbeaten in Phase One (2W-1D via pens, 8 points, +5 GD): 2-0 vs. Tijuana, 3-0 vs. Puebla (Uzuni hat trick), and 1-1 (6-5 pens) vs. Club América. Improved record vs. Liga MX sides. In MLS, mixed results including a recent 1-1 draw vs. Philadelphia and a road win at Seattle. Momentum from the tournament is high.
Toluca FC: 2W-1L in Phase One (6 points, +4 GD): 3-0 vs. Seattle Sounders, loss to LAFC, and 3-1 win over FC Dallas. Strong Concacaf pedigree as recent Champions Cup winners. Liga MX form solid but injury list is a concern; recent results include wins in domestic play.
Austin holds the better Phase One record and goal differential; Toluca brings pedigree and technical quality despite absences.
Series History
No prior competitive meetings between Austin FC and Toluca. Austin has built a solid overall record against Liga MX opposition in recent Leagues Cup play (improved to 4-1-2 in competitive fixtures). First-
time quarterfinal appearance for Austin; Toluca seeks deeper knockout runs.
Betting Trends
Neutral venue in the New York area removes pure home advantage. Futures earlier had both sides competitively priced among remaining contenders. MLS sides with strong Phase One differentials have performed well in knockouts; high-scoring Phase One games (Austin’s attack, Toluca’s output) support overs or BTTS. Injury-hit sides can struggle in intensity, favoring the healthier squad (Austin).
Austin FC holds the edge thanks to strong tournament form, Myrto Uzuni’s scoring surge, and a healthier squad relative to Toluca’s lengthy injury list. Toluca remains dangerous with technical quality and Champions Cup experience, making this a competitive neutral-site quarterfinal. The winner advances to the semifinals (September 1–2) against the León/Real Salt Lake winner.
MATCH ODDS
Austin FC + 450
Toluca FC – 190
Draw + 310
Over 2.5 – 145 Under 2.5 + 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 25, 2026
