Argentine midfielder Yamil Asad scored in the 64th minute to give FC Cincinnati a 1-0 victory over Club Queretaro on Thursday, clinching a knockout-round berth in the Leagues Cup.
Cincinnati, second in the MLS Eastern Conference behind defending Leagues Cup champion Inter Miami, eliminated their Mexican rivals, who lost a group-stage opener on penalties to New York City FC.
The event matches MLS and Liga MX clubs in a World Cup-style format, with three-team groups advancing two teams into the knockout stages.
Cincinnati advanced despite missing 2023 MLS Most Valuable Player Luciano Acosta with a foot injury and defender Miles Robinson, who is on the US team at the Paris Olympics.
At Salt Lake City, Colombian midfielder Nelson Palacio's goal in the 79th minute gave Real Salt Lake a 2-1 triumph over Atlas that prevented the visitors from sealing a knockout round spot.
Atlas seized the lead on defender Luis Reyes's goal in the 26th minute, but Salt Lake equalized on Ecuadoran striker Anderson Julio's goal two minutes into stoppage time for a 1-1 halftime deadlock, setting the stage for Palacio's winner.