The Leagues Cup, a competition featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Liga MX, starts on Tuesday. The Columbus Crew aims to defend their title, as the tournament format now includes 18 teams from both leagues. The competition runs from July 29 to August 31, pausing the regular MLS schedule.
A Pause in the Season
As the MLS season approaches its finale, a break is designated for the Leagues Cup. The competition faces fixture congestion, particularly as Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba miss the All-Star game for rest. The Herons will participate in three cup competitions, more than any other team.
Understanding the Format
- Matches: MLS teams will compete against Liga MX sides in the first phase.
- Advancing: The top four teams from each league will progress to the quarterfinals, where goal difference is critical to avoid missing out, even if a team wins all their matches.
- No Draws: Games cannot end in ties; if they do, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.
Upcoming Match Details
- Match: Inter Miami vs Necaxa
- Date: Saturday, August 30
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Live stream: Available via MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -209; Draw +425; Necaxa +400
Leagues Cup Standings
Group A
| 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 | Inter Miami | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
Group B
| 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 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
Schedule and Results
All matches will be broadcasted on MLS Season Pass. Highlights of the schedule include the quarterfinals from August 19-20, followed by the semifinals leading up to the final on August 31.
