Introducing Leagues Cup: Unveiling the Groups, Teams, Odds, and Mechanics of the Tournament

Introduction

The Leagues Cup, a new annual competition that combines the clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX, is set to kick off in 2023. For the first time, every club from both leagues will participate in this World Cup-style tournament, vying for the title of the best club team in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This collaboration between the biggest soccer nations in North America has generated significant excitement, with both leagues taking an extended break from domestic competition to allow for this month-long tournament.

The Evolution of the Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup made its debut in 2019 but was limited in scale, featuring only a select number of teams from MLS and Liga MX. The tournament did not offer a tangible competitive reward for the winner in its early editions. In 2021, the competition was reformatted as a showcase, consisting of friendly matches, without crowning a champion. However, the 2023 edition marks the first full-fledged iteration of the Leagues Cup with all 47 clubs from both leagues participating. The winner of this year’s tournament will earn a qualifying slot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, adding a competitive incentive to claim the title.

Tournament Format

The Leagues Cup comprises a group stage followed by a knockout stage.

Group Stage

With 47 participating clubs, the teams were sorted into 15 small groups of three teams each, taking into account geographic considerations. The groups were formed by matching the top MLS teams with the lowest-ranked Mexican clubs and vice versa. Each group also included an unseeded club based on proximity.

The three teams in each group will compete in a round-robin format, and the top two finishers in each group will advance to the knockout stage. The bottom-ranked team in each group will be eliminated. In the event of a tie in the group stage, tiebreakers will be determined by goal differential, goals scored, goals conceded, fair play points, and finally, drawing of lots.

The defending champions of each league, LAFC from MLS and Pachuca from Liga MX, have received a bye and will skip the group stage.

Knockout Stage

The knockout stage is a single-elimination format starting with a Round of 32, culminating in the final match. No extra time will be played in any matches, and games that remain level after 90 minutes will proceed directly to a penalty shootout.

Matches, Dates, and Hosting

All matches in the Leagues Cup will be played in the USA and Canada. MLS clubs will serve as hosts for all games, both in the group stage and knockout stage. For matches between two Liga MX clubs, an MLS stadium will host the game based on regional proximity.

Schedule

– Group Matchday 1: July 21-23
– Group Matchday 2: July 25-27
– Group Matchday 3: July 29-31
– Round of 32: August 2-4
– Round of 16: August 6-8
– Quarterfinals: August 11-12
– Semifinals: August 15
– Final & 3rd Place: August 19

Contenders and Excitement

The Leagues Cup has garnered significant attention and interest, particularly due to Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated debut for Inter Miami. Messi’s arrival has catapulted the club’s odds, placing them among the favorites despite their current low standing in the MLS Eastern Conference. Club America and LAFC are also considered strong contenders, given their history of success in Liga MX and MLS, respectively.

Broadcast and Streaming

In the United States, select Leagues Cup matches will be televised on TUDN and Univision in Spanish and can be streamed on Fubo and the TUDN site/app. MLS Season Pass on Apple TV exclusively broadcasts the English-language coverage worldwide.

History and Future Outlook

The Leagues Cup has only been played in limited capacity thus far, with Cruz Azul winning the inaugural edition in 2019 and Club Leon claiming victory in 2021. However, these past champions did not receive a competitive reward for their triumphs. Starting in 2023, all 47 top-flight teams from the U.S. and Mexico will compete, and the title winner will earn a qualification spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The expanded Leagues Cup promises to further enhance the competition and foster stronger ties between MLS and Liga MX. It represents an exciting opportunity for North American soccer to grow and showcase the top clubs from the region on a grand stage.

The Leagues Cup not only celebrates the talents and competition within MLS and Liga MX but also highlights the increasing collaboration and unity among North American soccer powerhouses. It serves as a testament to the growth and potential of soccer in the region and provides fans with the opportunity to witness high-caliber matches featuring top clubs from across North America.