With a trophy to defend and expectations to match, the Crew opened their Leagues Cup campaign hoping to rediscover the magic that fueled last year’s title run — but the night didn’t unfold as planned.

It took seven rounds of a penalty shootout to decide, but CF Montreal secured a dramatic 7-6 victory over LIGA MX side Club Leon in the first match of the 2025 Leagues Cup at Stade Saputo.

The tournament runs until the end of August. UP NEXT Montreal: Travel to New Jersey to face the 2024-2025 Liga MX Champions Deportivo Toluca F.C. on Friday. Leon: Visits New York City FC on Friday.

The tournament runs until the end of August. UP NEXT Montreal: Travel to New Jersey to face the 2024-2025 Liga MX Champions Deportivo Toluca F.C. on Friday. Leon: Visits New York City FC on Friday.

The tournament runs until the end of August. UP NEXT Montreal: Travel to New Jersey to face the 2024-2025 Liga MX Champions Deportivo Toluca F.C. on Friday. Leon: Visits New York City FC on Friday.