Cincinnati beat Pachuca 3:1 in the League Cup group stage on August 4, 2026. The hosts took the lead after an early setback, scoring twice in the first half to build a cushion that held until the end. Pachuca pulled one back late, but it was not enough to salvage a result.
Alcaraz opened the scoring in the seventh minute for the visitors, but Evander responded quickly in the eighteenth to level matters. Bucha restored Cincinnati's advantage just before the half-hour mark with a third goal of the match. The hosts ground out the win despite Pachuca's K. Mboma pulling a goal back in the seventieth minute.
Cincinnati controlled 58 per cent of possession and completed 525 passes, while Pachuca managed 42 per cent and 348. Both sides created two big chances each, and Cincinnati's shooting accuracy sat at 30 per cent with three shots on target from seven attempts. Pachuca also hit 30 per cent accuracy but registered seven shots on target from sixteen efforts.
The hosts made four substitutions, bringing on Rondon, Bautista, Gidi and Barlow. Pachuca introduced Jabbari and Sanchez, with the latter also receiving a yellow card before being replaced. Five yellow cards were shown in total, with Evander among those cautioned by Cincinnati.
Cincinnati arrive having won their previous outing against San Jose Earthquakes 4:2, while Pachuca's last match ended 1:0 against León. The result keeps both sides in contention within the group, though Cincinnati's home form gives them a slight edge going forward.