Leagues Cup: A Detailed Guide to the MLS vs. Liga MX Tournament

The Leagues Cup, an interleague tournament pitting Major League Soccer (MLS) against Liga MX teams, is set to begin. This edition features a new, more exclusive format: only 18 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX teams will participate, each placed into their respective groups. The Columbus Crew will aim to defend their title.

Running from July 29 to August 31, the tournament will see MLS league play pause for its initial phase, resuming on August 9. Here`s a comprehensive overview of the competition:

Mid-Season Pause for Cup Play

As the MLS season approaches its crucial final stages, with most teams having 10-13 matches left, a pause is being taken for this additional cup competition. Schedule congestion has already been a concern; for instance, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended for skipping the All-Star game to rest. Now, Inter Miami (“the Herons”), along with Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC, will compete in their third cup competition of the season – more than most teams, as MLS generally aims to reduce fixture load. With playoff-contending teams potentially playing three games in eight days, and more if they advance, questions remain about the physical toll the Leagues Cup might take.

While the Leagues Cup`s new, more exclusive format (limiting MLS participation to 18 teams) reduces the number of knockout stage matches, the initial group stage will still demand significant playing time from participants, as every match carries high stakes.

Tournament Structure

• Group Stage Matchups: In Phase One, only clubs from MLS will compete against Liga MX teams.
• Advancement to Knockout Rounds: Clubs from both leagues will play, but standings are kept separately for each league. The top four teams from each league`s table will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 19-20. This unique setup makes goal difference and winning in regular time crucial, as a team could win all its matches but still miss the knockouts if their goal difference is insufficient.
• Tie-Breaking Rules: Matches cannot end in a draw. If scores are level after regular time, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. Points are awarded as follows: three points for a win in regular time, one point for a draw in regular time (before shootout), and two points for the winner of the penalty shootout.

Key Changes to the Tournament Format

The Leagues Cup is now more exclusive: only the top nine teams from each MLS conference qualify, matching the 18 participants from Liga MX. Advancement to the knockout stages will be more challenging than ever, as only the top four teams from each league`s table progress to the quarterfinals. This structure ensures high drama from the very first matchday, as an MLS team might have more points than a Liga MX team in their respective table but still fail to advance if they are not among the top four in their own league`s standings. Additionally, expansion team San Diego FC will make their Leagues Cup debut, having just started their MLS season.

San Diego FC`s Participation

Not all MLS teams will participate going forward; qualification is now based on league table performance, with only the top nine teams from each conference making the cut. However, due to the Vancouver Whitecaps` participation in both the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship, their Leagues Cup spot has been allocated to the expansion side San Diego FC. San Diego FC will aim to leverage this opportunity, building on their strong start in MLS where they currently lead the Western Conference.

Leagues Cup Standings (Initial)

Group A (MLS Teams)

Group B (Liga MX Teams)

Leagues Cup Schedule

All times listed are Eastern. All matches are available for viewing 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.

Upon completion of the group stage, the quarterfinals will be structured with MLS teams facing Liga MX teams, 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

Key Dates: Knockout Stages and Finals

• Group Stage: July 29 – August 7
• Quarterfinals: August 19-20
• Semifinals: August 26-27
• Third Place Match: August 31
• Final: August 31

Tie-Breaking Criteria

For clubs tied on points after the Group Stage (Phase One), the following tie-breaking criteria will be applied in order:

1. Number of wins in regular time.
2. Overall goal difference.
3. Total goals scored.
4. Fewest goals conceded.
5. Fewer points in the fair play table (based on yellow and red card accumulation).
6. Random draw organized by Leagues Cup officials.