The Leagues Cup, an interleague competition uniting Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX teams, has commenced, with the Columbus Crew aiming to defend their title. This year`s tournament introduces a refined structure, featuring a more exclusive field of 18 teams from each league competing in separate groups. Spanning from July 29 to August 31, the competition will temporarily halt regular MLS league play, which is set to resume on August 9.
A Break in the Action
The ongoing MLS season is pausing for the Leagues Cup, contributing to an already packed fixture calendar. This is particularly relevant for clubs like Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC, who are now engaged in their third cup competition of the season. Such an intense schedule raises concerns about player fatigue, especially for teams in playoff contention that must navigate multiple matches within a short span. While the new tournament format reduces the total number of knockout matches, the group stage games remain highly competitive and crucial for advancement.
Leagues Cup Format
- Who plays whom in the group stage? The inaugural phase of the Leagues Cup pits MLS clubs directly against Liga MX opponents.
- Who advances to the knockouts? Teams progress to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 19-20, based on their performance within their respective league tables, with the top four from each league advancing. Goal difference and wins secured in regulation time are paramount, as teams can win all group matches but still miss out due to goal difference.
- Can there be ties? Matches that conclude in a tie after regulation are decided by a penalty shootout, with points awarded as follows: three for a regulation win, one for a regulation draw, and two for winning a penalty shootout.
The Tournament`s New Wrinkle
This year, the Leagues Cup is more exclusive, with only the top nine teams from each MLS conference and 18 Liga MX teams participating. Advancement to the quarterfinals is restricted to the top four teams from each league`s table, making every group stage match intensely competitive. This structure means that a team might have a higher overall point total but still miss out on the knockouts if they don`t secure a top-four spot within their league`s specific group. Notably, expansion side San Diego FC is making its debut in the tournament this season.
Why is San Diego FC in the Tournament?
Unlike previous editions where all MLS teams participated, qualification for the Leagues Cup is now merit-based, with only the top nine teams from each conference earning a spot. San Diego FC, an impressive new MLS expansion team currently leading the Western Conference, secured their place by substituting for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are engaged in other commitments like the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship.
Key Match Information: Inter Miami vs. Necaxa
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 2
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Live stream: MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -209; Draw +425; Necaxa +400
Leagues Cup Standings
Group A (MLS)
| Standing | Club | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| 2 | Seattle Sounders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 3 |
| 3 | Portland Timbers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| 4 | LA Galaxy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 5 | Minnesota United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 6 | FC Cincinnati | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Inter Miami | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 8 | Colorado Rapids | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 9 | New York Red Bulls | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 10 | New York City FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 11 | Los Angeles FC | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Real Salt Lake | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | CF Montreal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| 14 | Orlando City SC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | San Diego FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 16 | Atlanta United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 | Charlotte FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| 18 | Houston Dynamo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -5 | 0 |
Group B (Liga MX)
| Standing | Club | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tigres UNAL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| 2 | Mazatlan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 5 |
| 3 | Toluca | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| 4 | Pachuca | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| 5 | Juarez | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 6 | Necaxa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 7 | Puebla | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 2 |
| 8 | Pumas UNAM | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | Club America | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Club Leon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| 11 | Monterrey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 12 | Atlas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 13 | Santos Laguna | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 14 | Chivas Guadalajara | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 | Club Tiuana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 16 | Queretaro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| 17 | San Luis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 |
| 18 | Cruz Azul | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -7 | 0 |
Leagues Cup Schedule and Results
All times Eastern. All matches available on MLS Season Pass.
Tuesday, July 29
- Toluca 2, Columbus Crew 2 (Toluca wins 4-2 on penalties)
- CF Montreal 1, Club Leon 1 (CF Montreal wins 7-6 on penalties)
- NYCFC 0, Puebla 3
- Tigres 4, Houston Dynamo 1
- LAFC 1, Mazatlan 1 (Mazaltan wins 11-10 on penalties)
- Pachuca 3, San Diego FC 2
Wednesday, July 30
- Inter Miami 2, Atlas 1
- Necaxa 3, Atlanta United 1
- Pumas 1, Orlando City 1 (Pumas win 4-3 on penalties)
- Minnesota United 4, Queretaro 1
- Club America 2, Real Salt Lake 2 (Real Salt Lake wins 3-1 on penalties)
- Portland 4, San Luis 0
Thursday, July 31
- Monterrey 2, Cincinnati 3
- Chivas Guadalajara 0, RBNY 1
- Charlotte 1, Juarez 4
- Colorado Rapids 2, Santos Laguna 1
- Cruz Azul 0, Seattle Sounders 7
- LA Galaxy 5, Club Tijuana 2
Friday, Aug. 1
- NYCFC 2, Club Leon 0
- Columbus Crew 3, Puebla 1
- Houston Dynamo 0, Mazatlan 2
- Toluca 2, Montreal 1
- LAFC 1, Pachuca 1 (LAFC 4-2 on penalties)
- Tigres 2, San Diego 1
Saturday, Aug. 2
- Orlando City vs. Atlas, 6 p.m.
- Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m.
- Pumas vs. Atlanta United, 9 p.m.
- Club America vs. Minnesota United, 9 p.m.
- Real Salt Lake vs. San Luis, 9:30 p.m.
- Portland Timbers vs. Queretaro, 11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3
- Cincinnati vs. Juarez, 5:30 p.m.
- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Charlotte, 7:50 p.m.
- Monterrey vs. RBNY, 8:30 p.m.
- Colorado Rapids vs. Club Tijuana, 9:30 p.m.
- Seattle Sounders vs. Santos Laguna, 10:30 p.m.
- LA Galaxy vs. Cruz Azul, 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
- Columbus Crew vs. Club Leon, 7:30 p.m.
- Toluca vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
- Montreal vs. Puebla, 8 p.m.
- Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca, 8:30 p.m.
- Mazatlan vs. San Diego, 10 p.m.
- Tigres vs. LAFC, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
- Orlando City vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m.
- Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m.
- Atlanta United vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m.
- Minnesota United vs. San Luis, 8:30 p.m.
- Real Salt Lake vs. Queretaro, 9:30 p.m.
- Club America vs. Portland Timbers, 9:30 p.m.
- Seattle Sounders vs. Club Tijuana, 11 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7
- Cincinnati vs. Chivas Guadalajara, 7 p.m.
- Monterrey vs. Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
- RBNY vs. Juarez, 7:30 p.m.
- Cruz Azul vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m.
- LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna, 11 p.m.
Following the completion of the group stage, the quarterfinals will be structured with MLS teams facing Liga MX opponents as follows:
- MLS Seed 1 vs. Liga MX Seed 4
- MLS Seed 2 vs. Liga MX Seed 3
- MLS Seed 3 vs. Liga MX Seed 2
- MLS Seed 4 vs. Liga MX Seed 1
When is the Knockout Phase, Semifinals, Final and More?
- Phase One: July 29 – August 7
- Quarterfinals: August 19-20
- Semifinals: August 26-27
- Third Place Match: August 31
- Final: August 31
What are the Tiebreakers?
For any clubs level on points after the end of Phase One, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:
- Wins in regular time
- Goal differential
- Most goals scored
- Fewest goals conceded
- Fewest points in the fair play table (based on yellow and red card accumulation)
- Draw organized by Leagues Cup officials
