2024 Leagues Cup

Last updated

2024 Leagues Cup
Tournament details
Host countriesCanada
United States
DatesJuly 26 – August 25
Teams47 (from 3 associations)
Venue(s)32 (in 31 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew (1st title)
Runners-up Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC
Third place Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids
Fourth place Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union
Tournament statistics
Matches played77
Goals scored227 (2.95 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Israel.svg Tai Baribo
(7 goals)
Best player(s) Flag of Colombia.svg Cucho Hernández [1]
Best goalkeeper Flag of the United States.svg Zack Steffen [2]
← 2023
2025 →

The 2024 Leagues Cup was the fourth edition of the Leagues Cup, an international club soccer tournament contested by Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX clubs in North America. It was held from July 26 to August 25, 2024, with all 77 matches played in Canada and the United States.

Contents

Columbus Crew won the tournament after defeating Los Angeles FC in the final at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. [3] The three highest-placing teams qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with Columbus Crew qualifying directly to the tournament's round of 16 stage. [4]

The groups and format for the 2024 edition were announced on January 31. [5] Unlike the 2023 edition, only two regions were used for the tournament's group stage, divided into eight groups in the West and seven in the East. The 45 teams in the group stage were seeded in a combined table based on the 2023 regular season for MLS teams and most recent 34 matches in the Clausura and Apertura for Liga MX teams. [6] Seeding for the group stage was divided into three pots (named "tiers") with geographical balance also considered. [5] MLS Cup 2023 champions Columbus Crew and the top Liga MX team by aggregate points in 2023, América, both earned a bye to the round of 32. [5] [7]

All matches were played in Canada and United States at MLS venues. The top four teams in the Liga MX table used for seeding (América, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and UANL) had hub privileges that allowed them to be the designated home team in certain rounds. The predetermined venues for the hubs were announced on March 14, 2024. [5] [7] [8]

Inter Miami were defending champions, but failed to defend the title after being eliminated by Columbus Crew in the round of 16; Columbus Crew went on to win the tournament for the first time.

Teams

Draw

For the 2024 edition of the Leagues Cup, the 45 teams participating in the group stage were drawn into groups based on a combined ranking that used the 2023 Supporters' Shield table for MLS teams and the most recent 34 matches in the 2023 Clausura and Apertura seasons for Liga MX teams. These teams were divided into three pots from which the groups were drawn. [5] [7]

Seeding

Pot 1
TeamRank
Flag of Mexico.svg América Bye
Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey 1
Flag of the United States.svg FC Cincinnati 2
Flag of the United States.svg Orlando City SC 3
Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara 4
Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew Bye
Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis City SC 5
Flag of Mexico.svg UANL 6
Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 7
Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution 8
Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca 9
Flag of Mexico.svg León 10
Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 11
Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca 12
Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 13
Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo FC 14
Flag of the United States.svg Atlanta United FC 15
Pot 2
TeamRank
Flag of the United States.svg Real Salt Lake 16
Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC 17
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vancouver Whitecaps FC 18
Flag of the United States.svg FC Dallas 19
Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM 20
Flag of Mexico.svg Puebla 21
Flag of the United States.svg Sporting Kansas City 22
Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Earthquakes 23
Flag of the United States.svg New York Red Bulls 24
Flag of the United States.svg Charlotte FC 25
Flag of the United States.svg Portland Timbers 26
Flag of Mexico.svg Atlético San Luis 27
Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna 28
Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC 29
Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota United FC 30
Pot 3
TeamRank
Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul 31
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CF Montréal 32
Flag of the United States.svg D.C. United 33
Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Fire FC 34
Flag of the United States.svg Austin FC 35
Flag of Mexico.svg Querétaro 36
Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas 37
Flag of Mexico.svg Tijuana 38
Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy 39
Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 40
Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez 41
Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa 42
Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán 43
Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 44
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto FC 45
  Teams receiving bye to knockout stage.

Group stage

The top four Liga MX clubs had "hub rights" that allowed them to host in a fixed region with priority over most MLS teams: [8]

East

East 1East 2East 3

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg FC Cincinnati 26
2 Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC 22
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Querétaro 21
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Orlando City SC 25
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CF Montréal 23
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Atlético San Luis 21
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL 26
2 Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 23
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Puebla 20
Source: Leagues Cup
East 4East 5East 6

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 24
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul 23
3 Flag of the United States.svg Charlotte FC 22
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution 25
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán 23
3 Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC 21
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto FC 25
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca 22
3 Flag of the United States.svg New York Red Bulls 22
Source: Leagues Cup
East 7

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg D.C. United 25
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna 22
3 Flag of the United States.svg Atlanta United FC 22
Source: Leagues Cup

West

West 1West 2West 3

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Austin FC 26
2 Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM 22
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey 21
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy 25
2 Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Earthquakes 22
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara 22
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez 25
2 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis City SC 24
3 Flag of the United States.svg FC Dallas 20
Source: Leagues Cup
West 4West 5West 6

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca 26
2 Flag of the United States.svg Sporting Kansas City 23
3 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Fire FC 20
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Portland Timbers 26
2 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 22
3 Flag of Mexico.svg León 21
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa 23
2 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 23
3 Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota United FC 23
Source: Leagues Cup
West 7West 8

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vancouver Whitecaps FC 25
2 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 24
3 Flag of Mexico.svg Tijuana 20
Source: Leagues Cup

PosTeam
PldPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo FC 23
2 Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas 23
3 Flag of the United States.svg Real Salt Lake 23
Source: Leagues Cup

Knockout stage

Bracket

 
 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
 
                  
 
August 9 – San Diego, CA
 
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg América 2
 
August 13 – Carson, CA
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas 1
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg América 4
 
August 9 – St. Louis, MO
 
 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis City SC 2
 
 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis City SC 3
 
August 17 – Carson, CA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Portland Timbers 1
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg América 0 (8)
 
August 9 – Houston, TX
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids (p)0 (9)
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca (p)2 (5)
 
August 13 – Commerce City, CO
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo FC 2 (4)
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca 1
 
August 9 – Commerce City, CO
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 2
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez 2
 
August 21 – Los Angeles, CA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 3
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 0
 
August 8 – Seattle, WA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 4
 
 Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy 1
 
August 12 – Seattle, WA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 3
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 4
 
August 7 – Vancouver, BC
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM 0
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM 2
 
August 17 – Seattle, WA
 
 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 0
 
August 7 – Los Angeles, CA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 3
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 2
 
August 13 – Los Angeles, CA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Austin FC 0
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 4
 
August 8 – San Jose, CA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Earthquakes 1
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa 0
 
August 25 – Columbus, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Earthquakes 5
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 1
 
August 9 – Cincinnati, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 3
 
 Flag of the United States.svg FC Cincinnati (p)1 (6)
 
August 13 – Cincinnati, OH
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna 1 (5)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg FC Cincinnati 2
 
August 9 – Chester, PA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 4
 
 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg CF Montréal 0
 
August 17 – Chester, PA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 2
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union (p)1 (4)
 
August 9 – Washington, D.C.
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán 1 (3)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg D.C. United 1
 
August 13 – Washington, D.C.
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán 2
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán (p)2 (3)
 
August 9 – Orlando, FL
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul 2 (1)
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul (p)0 (5)
 
August 21 – Columbus, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Orlando City SC 0 (4)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 1
 
August 8 – Austin, TX
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 3 Third place playoff
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL 1
 
August 13 – Harrison, NJ August 25 – Chester, PA
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca 0
 
 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL 1 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids (p)2 (3)
 
August 9 – Foxborough, MA
 
 Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC 2 Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 2 (1)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC (p)1 (7)
 
August 17 – Columbus, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution 1 (6)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC 1 (3)
 
August 9 – Columbus, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew (p)1 (4)
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Sporting Kansas City 0
 
August 13 – Columbus, OH
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 4
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 3
 
August 8 – Fort Lauderdale, FL
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 2
 
 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto FC 3
 
 
 Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 4
 

Round of 32

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
Los Angeles FC   Flag of the United States.svg 2–0 Flag of the United States.svg   Austin FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC   Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 0–2 Flag of Mexico.svg   UNAM
Inter Miami CF   Flag of the United States.svg 4–3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg   Toronto FC
UANL   Flag of Mexico.svg 1–0 Flag of Mexico.svg   Pachuca
Seattle Sounders FC   Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg   LA Galaxy
San Jose Earthquakes   Flag of the United States.svg 5–0 Flag of Mexico.svg   Necaxa
FC Cincinnati   Flag of the United States.svg 1–1 (6–5 p) Flag of Mexico.svg   Santos Laguna
Columbus Crew   Flag of the United States.svg 4–0 Flag of the United States.svg   Sporting Kansas City
D.C. United   Flag of the United States.svg 1–2 Flag of Mexico.svg   Mazatlán
New England Revolution   Flag of the United States.svg 1–1 (6–7 p) Flag of the United States.svg   New York City FC
Orlando City SC   Flag of the United States.svg 0–0 (4–5 p) Flag of Mexico.svg   Cruz Azul
Philadelphia Union   Flag of the United States.svg 2–0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg   CF Montréal
St. Louis City SC   Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg   Portland Timbers
Toluca   Flag of Mexico.svg 2–2 (5–4 p) Flag of the United States.svg   Houston Dynamo FC
Juárez   Flag of Mexico.svg 2–3 Flag of the United States.svg   Colorado Rapids
América   Flag of Mexico.svg 2–1 Flag of Mexico.svg   Atlas

Round of 16

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
Seattle Sounders FC   Flag of the United States.svg 4–0 Flag of Mexico.svg   UNAM
Columbus Crew   Flag of the United States.svg 3–2 Flag of the United States.svg   Inter Miami CF
FC Cincinnati   Flag of the United States.svg 2–4 Flag of the United States.svg   Philadelphia Union
Cruz Azul   Flag of Mexico.svg 2–2 (1–3 p) Flag of Mexico.svg   Mazatlán
UANL   Flag of Mexico.svg 1–2 Flag of the United States.svg   New York City FC
Toluca   Flag of Mexico.svg 1–2 Flag of the United States.svg   Colorado Rapids
América   Flag of Mexico.svg 4–2 Flag of the United States.svg   St. Louis City SC
Los Angeles FC   Flag of the United States.svg 4–1 Flag of the United States.svg   San Jose Earthquakes

Quarterfinals

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
Columbus Crew   Flag of the United States.svg 1–1 (4–3 p) Flag of the United States.svg   New York City FC
Philadelphia Union   Flag of the United States.svg 1–1 (4–3 p) Flag of Mexico.svg   Mazatlán
Seattle Sounders FC   Flag of the United States.svg 0–3 Flag of the United States.svg   Los Angeles FC
América   Flag of Mexico.svg 0–0 (8–9 p) Flag of the United States.svg   Colorado Rapids

Semifinals

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
Columbus Crew   Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg   Philadelphia Union
Los Angeles FC   Flag of the United States.svg 4–0 Flag of the United States.svg   Colorado Rapids

Third place playoff

Team 1ScoreTeam 2
Philadelphia Union   Flag of the United States.svg 2–2 (1–3 p) Flag of the United States.svg   Colorado Rapids

Final

Both finalists qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the winners advancing directly to the round of 16.

Columbus Crew Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC
Report
Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 20,190
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)

Statistics

Top goalscorers

  Team eliminated for this round.
  Player was inactive for this round.
RankPlayerTeamMD1MD2MD3R32R16QFSF3rdFTotal
1 Flag of Israel.svg Tai Baribo Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 12227
2 Flag of Gabon.svg Denis Bouanga Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 112116
Flag of Uruguay.svg Diego Rossi Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 222
4 Flag of the United States.svg Jeremy Ebobisse Flag of the United States.svg San Jose Earthquakes 1124
Flag of Colombia.svg Cucho Hernández Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 112
Flag of Uruguay.svg Cristian Olivera Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 211
Flag of Paraguay.svg Matías Rojas Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 121
8 Flag of Mexico.svg Jesús Angulo Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca 1113
Flag of Poland.svg Mateusz Bogusz Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 111
Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Kei Kamara Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 111
Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Morris Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 12
Flag of Uruguay.svg Santiago Rodríguez Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC 111

Controversies

Some pointed out that the Leagues Cup interrupted the schedules of both Liga MX and MLS. French player André-Pierre Gignac stated: [10] "I don't think that in Europe Marseille would have agreed to stop the local tournament for a month to go to another country to compete in an international one, but it is part of the growth of two leagues, of a rivalry. The United States is a spectacle and is great."

He also added: "It would be good if American clubs could come to play in Mexico because in Mexico there are different altitudes and climates, which would be beneficial."

In a similar way, Toluca's Portuguese trainer Renato Paiva declared: “For me it doesn't make sense to cut the tournament. Who am I to teach people to organize tournaments, but I think these types of strikes should be for national teams. Today you start the Leagues Cup, you finish it and start the championship later or you start the championship, you finish it and you start the Leagues Cup later." [11]

Additionally, a reporter from the newspaper Récord reported that the Leagues Cup would impose a $25,000 fine on anyone who spoke negatively about the tournament, which was slightly more than 450,000 Mexican pesos. This decision was reportedly due to the negative feedback received by the event's organizers in 2023, when León players spent an extended period at the airport due to logistical problems. [12]

Following Tijuana's defeat to Los Angeles FC on July 26, and regarding a controversial expulsion during the match, goalkeeper Antonio Rodríguez limited his comments to the press area, as he admitted that he could face punishment: “I don't have the slightest idea, I was far away and I only saw that they gave him the red card (…) We can't speak badly about the Leagues Cup because they'll fine us”, the goalkeeper told Salvadoran journalist Rodrigo Serrano. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Cucho Hernandez named Leagues Cup 2024 Best Player". Leagues Cup. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Zack Steffen named Leagues Cup 2024 Best Goalkeeper". Leagues Cup. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Columbus Crew crowned Champions of Leagues Cup 2024". Leagues Cup. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ "MLS unveils 2024 Regular Season schedule". MLSSoccer.com. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Leagues Cup 2024: Groups for MLS and LIGA MX teams". MLSSoccer.com. January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  6. ↑ Anderson, Jason (January 31, 2024). "MLS, Liga MX announce modified 2024 Leagues Cup". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today . Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 Cardenas, Felipe (January 31, 2024). "MLS, Liga MX announce Leagues Cup changes to reduce travel, add regional hubs" . The Athletic . Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Leagues Cup 2024: Schedule, bracket & hubs for MLS-LIGA MX competition". MLSSoccer.com. March 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Leagues Cup 2024 » Top Scorer". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Gignac se une a críticas sobre Leagues Cup: "Marsella no hubiera aceptado parar un mes el torneo local"". Marca México (in Spanish). July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Paiva critica la pausa de Liga MX por la Leagues Cup: "No tiene sentido"". TUDN (in Spanish). July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Multarán a quien hable mal de la Leagues Cup gracias al León". Fieramanía (in Spanish). July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  13. ↑ "'Nos multan si hablamos mal de la Leagues Cup'; Toño Rodríguez, portero de Xolos (VIDEO)". Fox Sports (in Spanish). July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
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