Leagues Cup, the interleague competition between Major League Soccer and Liga MX, kicks off on Tuesday as the Columbus Crew will look to defend their title aas the tournament features a new wrinkle — only 18 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX teams in their own groups.
The tournament will run from July 29-Aug. 31 with league play in MLS pausing for Phase One and resuming on Aug. 9. Here’s everything that you need to know about the tournament:
A break in the action
The MLS season may be getting down to the business end of the competition with teams having 10-13 games remaining, but it’s time for a pause to play another cup competition. Fixture congestion has already been an issue with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba already being suspended due to skipping out on the All-Star game to get additional rest, but now the Herons will take part in their third cup competition of the season, the most of any team, along with the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC. Most teams are only in two cup competitions this season as MLS looks to combat fixture congestion, but now with teams in playoff positions needing to play three games in eight days, with more to come if they make the knockout stages, it remains to be seen if Leagues Cup will be too much on their legs.
Making the League Cup more exclusive with only 18 MLS teams, making the tournament cuts down on matches in the knockout stage, Phase One will still have significant minutes for each player in matches where they can’t afford to lose.
Leagues Cup format
- Who plays who in the group stage? Phase One of the tournament will only see clubs from MLS face Liga MX sides.
- Who advances to the knockouts? Matches will take place between clubs from both leagues, and standings will be separated with each league in their own table, with the top four advancing to the quarterfinals, which will take place on Aug. 19-20. Because of this, goal difference and winning in regulation will be important because teams can finish the group stage winning all their matches but still miss out on the knockouts due to goal difference.
- Can there be ties? Games cannot end in ties, and if one is level at the end of regulation, a penalty shootout will decide the winner. Three points are earned for a win in regulation, one point for a regulation draw, and two points for the winner of the penalty shootout.
The tournament’s new wrinkle
Leagues Cup is more exclusive now with only the top nine teams in each MLS conference qualifying to match the 18 participants from Liga MX. It will be harder than ever to advance to the knockouts, with only the top four teams from each table advancing to the quarterfinals. With this setup, even if an MLS team has a higher points total than a Liga MX team in the opposite table, if they aren’t in the top four of the MLS table, they won’t advance, ensuring that every match has drama from matchday one to matchday three. Expansion side San Diego FC will also make their Leagues Cup debut after just beginning MLS play this season.
Why are San Diego FC in the tournament?
Not every MLS team will participate anymore, with teams now needing to qualify via the league table, where only the top nine teams from each conference make it. Due to the Vancouver Whitecaps competing in Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship, their spot in the competition will be taken by expansion side San Diego FC, who will look to build on their fast start to life in MLS, where they’re at the top of the West.
Leagues Cup standings
Group A
|
Standing |
Club |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Atlanta United |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
Charlotte FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
FC CIncinatti |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
Colorado Rapids |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
Columbus Crew |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
Houston Dynamo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
Inter Miami |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
8 |
LA Galaxy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
9 |
Los Angeles FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
10 |
Minnesota United |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
11 |
CF Montreal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
12 |
New York City FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
13 |
New York Red Bulls |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
Orlando City FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
15 |
Portland Timbers |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
16 |
Real Salt Lake |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
17 |
San Diego FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
18 |
Seattle Sounders |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Group B
|
Standing |
Club |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Atlas |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
Atletico de San Luis |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
Club America |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
Cruz Azul |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
Chivas Guadalajara |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
6 |
Juarez |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
Club Leon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
8 |
Mazatlan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
9 |
Monterrey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
10 |
Necaxa |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
11 |
Pachuca |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
12 |
Puebla |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
13 |
Pumas UNAM |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
14 |
Queretaro |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
15 |
Santos Laguna |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
16 |
Tigres UNAL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
17 |
Club Tijuana |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
18 |
Toluca |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Leagues Cup schedule and results
All times Eastern. All matches available on MLS Season Pass.
Tuesday, July 29
- Toluca vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m.
- CF Montreal vs. Club Leon, 7 p.m.
- NYCFC vs. Puebla, 8 p.m.
- Tigres vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m.
- LAFC vs. Mazatlan, 10:30 p.m.
- Pachuca vs. San Diego FC, 11 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30
- Inter Miami vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m.
- Necaxa vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m.
- Pumas vs. Orlando City, 8 p.m.
- Minnesota United vs. Queretaro, 8:30 p.m.
- Club America vs. Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
- Portland vs. San Luis, 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 31
- Monterrey vs. Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
- Chivas Guadalajara vs. RBNY, 7:30 p.m.
- Charlotte vs. Juarez, 7:30 p.m.
- Colorado Rapids vs. Santos Laguna, 9:30 p.m.
- Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders 10:30 p.m.
- LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana, 11 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1
- NYCFC vs. Club Leon, 6 p.m.
- Columbus Crew vs. Puebla, 7 p.m.
- Houston Dynamo vs. Mazatlan, 8:30 p.m.
- Toluca vs. Montreal, 9 p.m.
- LAFC vs. Pachuca, 10:30 p.m.
- Tigres vs. San Diego, 11 p.m.
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 completion of the group stage, the quarterfinals will still be set with MLS facing Liga MX as follows:
- MLS 1 vs. LIGA MX 4
- MLS 2 vs. LIGA MX 3
- MLS 3 vs. LIGA MX 2
- MLS 4 vs. LIGA MX 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: 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 (yellow and red card accumulation)
- Draw organized by Leagues Cup
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Cal Raleigh grants request of only Mariners fan in a sea of Tigers fans with his first HR of playoffs: ‘Dump here’
One of the few Mariners fans in a crowd of Tigers fans in Detroit had a very specific request for Cal Raleigh on Tuesday night. Raleigh was happy to oblige.Raleigh entered the ninth inning of Tuesday's ALDS Game 3 on a sizzling playoff streak, hitting 5 for 12 with an RBI in two-plus games. But Big Dumper had yet to do what he does best — hit a home run.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat changed in the ninth. With his Mariners holding a 6-1 lead, Raleigh punctuated an 8-4 win with his first home run of the postseason, a two-run opposite-field shot that cleared the left-centerfield wall.It was a powerful exclamation point on a game that gave the Mariners a 2-1 series lead to move within a win of the ALCS. But what happened after Raleigh's contact was even more remarkable.[Yahoo Sports TV is […]
“Job’s not finished” — Cal Raleigh after Mariners’ dominant 8-4 win over Tigers
Major League Baseball Video Details "Job's not finished" - Cal Raleigh after the Seattle Mariners' dominated the Detroit Tigers in their 8-4 win. Additionally, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert talked about his strong showing in Game 3 of the ALDS. 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・2:35
Behind HRs from Raleigh and Suarez, Mariners Take Lead in AL Division Series
Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford had solo shots and the Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.The Mariners are within a win of their first AL Championship Series since 2001. Their first chance to advance is on Wednesday afternoon in Game 4 at Comerica Park and if necessary, another opportunity awaits on Friday back in Seattle for a decisive Game 5.Seattle’s Logan Gilbert gave up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.Raleigh, who had a major league-high 60 homers during the regular season, hit a 391-foot, two-run homer to left-center in the ninth to make it 8-1.The offensively challenged Tigers were limited to four hits and one run through eight innings before suddenly […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. goes airborne on slide at home during Blue Jays’ 4-run third inning in Game 3 of ALDS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. likes to put on a show in the Bronx. He did so with power and speed on Tuesday in the early part of Game 3 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees.The Toronto Blue Jays' star followed a first-inning home run to center field with a slide for the ages in the third.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter outfielder Davis Schneider doubled to start the top of the inning, Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodón intentionally walked Guerrero, who has blasted a homer in each game of this ALDS.A single from Daulton Varsho then plated Schneider and advanced Guerrero to second. From there, Guerrero was fleet of foot on an October play that could go down in Blue Jays history.Guerrero, who has dropped weight to transform his body since he debuted for the Jays in 2019, made a beeline for home after […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Mariners tee off on Tigers after rain delay in ALDS Game 3, move 1 win away from berth in ALCS
Tuesday started with a rain delay in Detroit, and the clouds never lifted for Tigers fans. The Seattle Mariners struck first in a sloppy third inning for the Detroit defense and never looked back in an 8-4 Game 3 win in the ALDS.With the victory, the Mariners take a 2-1 series lead and re-seize the home-field advantage they yielded with a Game 1 loss in Seattle. The Mariners can clinch the best-of-five series with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday in Detroit or in Game 5 on Friday at home.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTuesday's win was a complete team effort that sucked the life out of the Detroit crowd early.[Get more Seattle news: Mariners team feed]Ace start from Logan GilbertStarter Logan Gilbert was on cruise control on the mound in six four-hit innings. Detroit mounted just one challenge off Gilbert and needed a […]
Tom Brady’s NFL Power Rankings: A New No. 1 Emerges After Eagles, Bills Losses
Tom Brady has said all season long that the No. 1 spot in his power rankings won't change until the defending Super Bowl champs go down. Well, the Philadelphia Eagles finally lost in Week 5, which means we have a new team at the top in the GOAT's newest top 10. In fact, there were plenty of changes in Brady's power rankings this week as the Buffalo Bills, who were the only other undefeated team entering Week 5, also lost. The Kansas City Chiefs were on the wrong end of an upset as well. "There are probably about 15 teams that deserve to be in the top 10," Brady said after a chaotic Week 5, causing him to put four new teams in his top 10. But who is No. 1? Here are Brady's full power rankings.Tom Brady's Week 5 Power Rankings […]
Related
Cal Raleigh grants request of only Mariners fan in a sea of Tigers fans with his first HR of playoffs: ‘Dump here’
One of the few Mariners fans in a crowd of Tigers fans in Detroit had a very specific request for Cal Raleigh on Tuesday night. Raleigh was happy to oblige.Raleigh entered the ninth inning of Tuesday's ALDS Game 3 on a sizzling playoff streak, hitting 5 for 12 with an RBI in two-plus games. But Big Dumper had yet to do what he does best — hit a home run.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat changed in the ninth. With his Mariners holding a 6-1 lead, Raleigh punctuated an 8-4 win with his first home run of the postseason, a two-run opposite-field shot that cleared the left-centerfield wall.It was a powerful exclamation point on a game that gave the Mariners a 2-1 series lead to move within a win of the ALCS. But what happened after Raleigh's contact was even more remarkable.[Yahoo Sports TV is […]
“Job’s not finished” — Cal Raleigh after Mariners’ dominant 8-4 win over Tigers
Major League Baseball Video Details "Job's not finished" - Cal Raleigh after the Seattle Mariners' dominated the Detroit Tigers in their 8-4 win. Additionally, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert talked about his strong showing in Game 3 of the ALDS. 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・2:35
Behind HRs from Raleigh and Suarez, Mariners Take Lead in AL Division Series
Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford had solo shots and the Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.The Mariners are within a win of their first AL Championship Series since 2001. Their first chance to advance is on Wednesday afternoon in Game 4 at Comerica Park and if necessary, another opportunity awaits on Friday back in Seattle for a decisive Game 5.Seattle’s Logan Gilbert gave up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.Raleigh, who had a major league-high 60 homers during the regular season, hit a 391-foot, two-run homer to left-center in the ninth to make it 8-1.The offensively challenged Tigers were limited to four hits and one run through eight innings before suddenly […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. goes airborne on slide at home during Blue Jays’ 4-run third inning in Game 3 of ALDS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. likes to put on a show in the Bronx. He did so with power and speed on Tuesday in the early part of Game 3 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees.The Toronto Blue Jays' star followed a first-inning home run to center field with a slide for the ages in the third.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter outfielder Davis Schneider doubled to start the top of the inning, Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodón intentionally walked Guerrero, who has blasted a homer in each game of this ALDS.A single from Daulton Varsho then plated Schneider and advanced Guerrero to second. From there, Guerrero was fleet of foot on an October play that could go down in Blue Jays history.Guerrero, who has dropped weight to transform his body since he debuted for the Jays in 2019, made a beeline for home after […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Mariners tee off on Tigers after rain delay in ALDS Game 3, move 1 win away from berth in ALCS
Tuesday started with a rain delay in Detroit, and the clouds never lifted for Tigers fans. The Seattle Mariners struck first in a sloppy third inning for the Detroit defense and never looked back in an 8-4 Game 3 win in the ALDS.With the victory, the Mariners take a 2-1 series lead and re-seize the home-field advantage they yielded with a Game 1 loss in Seattle. The Mariners can clinch the best-of-five series with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday in Detroit or in Game 5 on Friday at home.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTuesday's win was a complete team effort that sucked the life out of the Detroit crowd early.[Get more Seattle news: Mariners team feed]Ace start from Logan GilbertStarter Logan Gilbert was on cruise control on the mound in six four-hit innings. Detroit mounted just one challenge off Gilbert and needed a […]
Tom Brady’s NFL Power Rankings: A New No. 1 Emerges After Eagles, Bills Losses
Tom Brady has said all season long that the No. 1 spot in his power rankings won't change until the defending Super Bowl champs go down. Well, the Philadelphia Eagles finally lost in Week 5, which means we have a new team at the top in the GOAT's newest top 10. In fact, there were plenty of changes in Brady's power rankings this week as the Buffalo Bills, who were the only other undefeated team entering Week 5, also lost. The Kansas City Chiefs were on the wrong end of an upset as well. "There are probably about 15 teams that deserve to be in the top 10," Brady said after a chaotic Week 5, causing him to put four new teams in his top 10. But who is No. 1? Here are Brady's full power rankings.Tom Brady's Week 5 Power Rankings […]
Be the first to leave a comment