Leagues Cup

Last updated

Leagues Cup
Leagues Cup logo white-on-black.svg
Founded2019;6 years ago (2019)
Region NAFU (Canada, Mexico, United States)
Number of teams36
Qualifier for CONCACAF Champions Cup
Related competitions CONCACAF Caribbean Cup
CONCACAF Central American Cup
Current champions Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew
(1st title)
Most successful club(s) Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew
Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul
Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF
Flag of Mexico.svg León
(1 title each)
Television broadcasters MLS Season Pass
FS1 (English)
Univision (Spanish)
Motto"New world. New game."
Website leaguescup.com
Soccerball current event.svg 2025 Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup is an annual soccer competition between clubs from Major League Soccer, the main soccer league in the United States, and Liga MX, the main soccer league in Mexico. It is hosted in Canada and the United States. It began in July 2019 with four teams from both leagues participating. The first edition was a single-elimination tournament hosted in the United States with a final played in Whitney, Nevada, near Las Vegas, on September 18, 2019. [1]

Contents

In 2023, the tournament was expanded to include all clubs from MLS and Liga MX, and now functions as a regional cup for CONCACAF between the top division leagues in Mexico and United States, and includes MLS teams that are based in Canada. The top three Leagues Cup teams, regardless of nation, qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the champions receiving a bye to the round of 16. In 2025, the tournament contracted to only include the 18 best MLS clubs and all clubs from Liga MX.

Format

The first two editions of Leagues Cup featured four clubs from each league in an eight-team single-elimination knockout tournament, with the first two rounds hosted by the MLS club. The finals were played at neutral venues in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. [2] The participating MLS teams in the first edition were invitees, but the second edition used league results for qualification; the four Liga MX participants were chosen based on their league results in both of these editions. [3]

For the 2022 season, an official tournament was not held due to fixture congestion from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, among other factors.

For the 2023 and 2024 editions, the Leagues Cup included all MLS and Liga MX teams—47 teams in total with 77 matches hosted in Canada and the United States. The top 15 teams from each league were seeded into 15 groups based on their league standings from the previous season, while the remaining teams were drawn based on geographic proximity. The group stage had three matches in a round-robin format and the top two teams qualified for the knockout stage. Two teams receive byes to the knockout stage: the reigning MLS Cup champion and highest-ranked Liga MX champion from either the previous Apertura and Clausura. The knockout stage was single-elimination on a fixed bracket. [4] [5]

For the 2025 season, the Leagues Cup will only include 18 out of the 30 MLS teams (those who qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs in most instances), as well as all Liga MX teams, for a total of 36 participants. The MLS and Liga MX teams will be separated into their own separate groups of 18 and play three games against teams from the other league. The top four teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage, where the quarter-finals are guaranteed to be MLS vs Liga MX like in the group stage. [6] All games are again held in Canada and the United States, but unlike the past two years, the competition also takes place during the MLS and Liga MX seasons. [7]

History

Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs had previously played in the North American SuperLiga, which ran from 2007 to 2010. Both leagues also send clubs to the CONCACAF Champions League, which has been dominated by Mexican clubs, and the Campeones Cup, a single match played between the winners of the MLS Cup and the Campeón de Campeones. [1] The two leagues began planning a bi-national, eight-team competition to complement the Champions League and provide Mexican clubs with matches to replace the Copa Libertadores in their calendar as soon as 2018. [8] [9] MLS and Liga MX announced a new partnership in March 2018 to create the Campeones Cup and explore options for other bi-national competitions between their clubs. [10]

The Leagues Cup tournament was announced on May 29, 2019, featuring eight teams in its inaugural edition to be played during the summer. [3] The announcement of the tournament was panned by soccer critics in the United States, who called it a meaningless friendly and "cash-grab" for American clubs. [11] [12] [13] The MLS Players Association also expressed concerns over the tournament's creation on the basis of schedule congestion during the summertime. [14] Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nevada was later announced as the host venue for the final and a broadcasting contract for the tournament was awarded to ESPN and TUDN (formerly Univision Deportes Network). [15] [16] This event was also televised on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada and Televisa in Mexico. [17]

In July 2019, MLS and Liga MX announced that the second edition of the Leagues Cup in 2020 would feature 16 teams—eight from each league. The MLS participants would be drawn from the top four teams in each conference that do not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League; the Liga MX participants would include the 2019 Apertura champion, 2020 Clausura champion, the 2019–20 Copa MX champion, and the next five best-placed teams in the 2019-20 season aggregate table the league. [18] [19] The tournament was canceled on May 19, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. [20] The eight-team format debuted in the 2021 Leagues Cup, which was played in August and September. [21] In the final at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, Mexican club León defeated Seattle Sounders FC, the first American finalist in the competition's history. [22] [23]

On April 14, 2022, MLS and Liga MX announced the 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase, which was held starting August 3, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The event included a doubleheader of matches: LA Galaxy against C.D. Guadalajara and Los Angeles FC against Club América. [24] On June 30, 2022, it was announced that the Leagues Cup Showcase was expanded to include three more matches—FC Cincinnati against C.D. Guadalajara at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio; Nashville SC against Club América at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 21; and Real Salt Lake against Atlas F.C. at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on September 22. [25] The events served as a one-time replacement of the previously planned 2022 Leagues Cup which was not held due to fixture congestion from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other factors. [26]

The Leagues Cup was expanded in 2023 to include all MLS and Liga MX clubs, during a month-long pause in their respective seasons. It also became a qualification tournament for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup with three berths for teams from North America. [27] The Leagues Cup champion qualified directly to the round of 16, while the runner-up and third-place finisher earned round one berths. [28] Inter Miami CF won the first edition of the expanded tournament in 2023, led by top goalscorer Lionel Messi. [29]

On January 28, 2025, Major League Soccer announced that they would only send 18 representatives to the Leagues Cup for 2025 as part of their new competition guidelines, which only allowed teams to play in at most two cup competitions. Most of the teams in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs qualified for Leagues Cup; the Vancouver Whitecaps, as winners of the 2024 Canadian Championship, had their place forfeited and given to expansion club San Diego FC. [30]

Criticism

The addition of the Leagues Cup and subsequent schedule congestion led Major League Soccer to announce their intention not to field senior teams in the U.S. Open Cup, the domestic cup competition for the United States. The announcement was met with "widespread anger and condemnation" and the proposal was rejected by the United States Soccer Federation. A hybrid plan with eight MLS participants and MLS Next Pro reserve teams as replacements for the remaining teams was used for the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. [31] Several Major League Soccer supporters' groups announced boycotts of the Leagues Cup as a result of the league's attempted withdrawal from the U.S. Open Cup. [32] [33] [34]

Trophy

The Leagues Cup trophy was unveiled in September 2019 and consists of a 22-pound (10.0 kg) silver bowl atop a pedestal. It is 16.5 inches (42 cm) in height and 16.1 inches (41 cm) wide. A replica trophy will be gifted to the winners following 12 months with the original trophy. [35]

Broadcasting

Since 2023, all Leagues Cup matches have been broadcast worldwide on MLS Season Pass, an online streaming platform operated by Apple under its Apple TV brand. All matches have commentary in English and Spanish, while those involving Canadian teams also include French commentary. [36] A select group of matches are also set to be broadcast on television networks using their own crews, including Fox Sports and TUDN in the United States; and TSN and RDS in Canada. [37] [38]

Results

Finals

Ed.YearWinnersScoreRunners-upVenueCityAtt.
1
 2019 Cruz Azul Flag of Mexico.svg 2–1 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, Nevada 20,132
–
 2020
(Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [20]
2
 2021 León Flag of Mexico.svg 3–2 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC Allegiant Stadium Paradise, Nevada 24,824
–
 2022
(No champion crowned) [n 1]
3
 2023 Inter Miami CF Flag of the United States.svg 1–1 (10–9 p) Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC Geodis Park Nashville, Tennessee 30,109
4
 2024 Columbus Crew Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC Lower.com Field Columbus, Ohio 20,190
Notes
  1. ↑ Held only as exhibition matches between participating MLS and Liga MX teams due to fixture congestion. [26]

Third place play-offs

Ed.YearThird-placeScoreFourth-placeVenueCityAtt.
3
 2023 Philadelphia Union Flag of the United States.svg 3–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey Subaru Park Chester, Pennsylvania 17,731
4
 2024 Colorado Rapids Flag of the United States.svg 2–2 (3–1 p) Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union Subaru Park Chester, Pennsylvania 8,417

Performances

By club

Team1st2nd3rd4th
Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul 1 (2019)
Flag of Mexico.svg León 1 (2021)
Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 1 (2023)
Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 1 (2024)
Flag of Mexico.svg UANL 1 (2019)
Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC 1 (2021)
Flag of the United States.svg Nashville SC 1 (2023)
Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 1 (2024)
Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 1 (2023)1 (2024)
Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids 1 (2024)
Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey 1 (2023)

The third place play-off was added in 2023.

All-time top scorers

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerTeamTotal
1 Flag of Gabon.svg Denis Bouanga Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 12
2 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF 10
3 Flag of South Africa.svg Bongokuhle Hlongwane Flag of the United States.svg Minnesota United FC 7
Flag of Israel.svg Tai Baribo Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union
Flag of Colombia.svg Cucho Hernández Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew
6 Flag of Hungary.svg Dániel Gazdag Flag of the United States.svg Philadelphia Union 6
Flag of Uruguay.svg Diego Rossi Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew
8 Flag of the United States.svg Brandon Vázquez Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey 5
Flag of Argentina.svg Germán Berterame Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey
Flag of Uruguay.svg Santiago Rodríguez Flag of the United States.svg New York City FC

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Marshall, Tom (May 29, 2019). "MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup". ESPN . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  2. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (May 29, 2019). "MLS and Liga MX are partnering for a new tournament called the Leagues Cup". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Santaromita, Dan (May 29, 2019). "MLS, Liga MX announce Leagues Cup 8-team tournament". Pro Soccer USA. Tribune Publishing . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  4. ↑ Straus, Brian (October 6, 2022). "How MLS, Liga MX's Leagues Cup Competition Will Work". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Leagues Cup 2023 dates and structure announced". MLSsoccer.com. October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ Maurer, Pablo (January 30, 2025). "MLS, Liga MX announce Leagues Cup overhaul: How new tournament will work". The Athletic. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ Bogert, Tom (January 28, 2025). "MLS sets US Open Cup, Leagues Cup and Champions Cup update". GiveMeSport. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ Pérez, Salvador (May 9, 2017). "Gustavo Guzmán confirma torneo binacional entre Liga MX y MLS" [Gustavo Guzmán confirms binational tournament between Liga MX and MLS] (in Spanish). ESPN Mexico. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  9. ↑ Marshall, Tom (May 9, 2017). "Liga MX club owners set to approve cup with MLS this month – Atlas chief". ESPN. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  10. ↑ Creditor, Avi (March 13, 2018). "MLS, Liga MX Join Forces for Campeones Cup, Future All-Star Game". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  11. ↑ Kennedy, Paul (May 29, 2019). "Leagues Cup, new MLS-Liga MX venture, immediately panned in media" . Soccer America . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  12. ↑ Oshan, Jeremiah (May 31, 2019). "The MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup is going to suck, and it could have been so much cooler". SB Nation . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  13. ↑ Paez-Pumar, Luis (May 29, 2019). "Liga MX And MLS Will Compete For A New, Meaningless Trophy". Deadspin . Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  14. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (July 23, 2019). "Will MLS show it can compete with Liga MX in upcoming Leagues Cup?". ESPN. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Las Vegas to host Liga MX-MLS Leagues Cup final". ESPN. July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  16. ↑ Cattry, Pardeep (July 8, 2019). "MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup to broadcast on ESPN, TUDN in United States". ProSoccerUSA. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  17. ↑ "MLS, Liga MX unveil broadcast info for Leagues Cup". Leagues Cup. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  18. ↑ Marshall, Tom (July 18, 2019). "MLS-Liga MX tourney to have 16 teams in '20". ESPN. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  19. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 18, 2019). "Leagues Cup expands to 16 teams in 2020 with new qualification format". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  20. 1 2 "MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  21. ↑ Evans, Jayda (August 10, 2021). "Nico Lodeiro scores as Sounders knock off Tigres in Leagues Cup". The Seattle Times . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ Gotz, Ben (September 21, 2021). "MLS, Liga MX teams to fight for title at Allegiant Stadium". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  23. ↑ Evans, Jayda (September 22, 2021). "Sounders can't hold lead against Club Leon of Mexico, lose Leagues Cup final 3-2". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  24. ↑ "LAFC, LA Galaxy, Chivas and Club América headline Leagues Cup Showcase at SoFi Stadium". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Leagues Cup Showcase to feature FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC, Real Salt Lake against Liga MX clubs". MLSSoccer.com. June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Straus, Brian (April 14, 2022). "MLS, Liga MX Won't Play Leagues Cup in 2022". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  27. ↑ Straus, Brian (February 4, 2021). "Concacaf Reveals New CCL Format, Starting in 2023". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Historic reimagined Leagues Cup starting in 2023". MLSsoccer.com. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  29. ↑ Kaufman, Michelle (August 19, 2023). "Messi scores, Callender shines, Inter Miami wins League Cup in 11-round PK shootout". Miami Herald . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  30. ↑ Hernandez, Cesar (January 28, 2025). "MLS doubles first-team presence in U.S. Open Cup". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  31. ↑ Hernandez, Cesar (May 7, 2024). "U.S. Open Cup at a crossroads: What's next for the tournament?". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  32. ↑ Livengood, Paul (July 24, 2024). "Boycotting Leagues Cup: MLS supporters groups around the league stand up against 'money grab' tournament". WFAA . Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  33. ↑ Battista, Michel (July 25, 2024). "Leagues Cup Boycott: Here are the supporters' groups protesting the tournament". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  34. ↑ Schneider, Joey (July 29, 2024). "St. Louis CITY SC navigates fan boycott in Leagues Cup matches". Fox2.
  35. ↑ "Leagues Cup trophy unveiled ahead of inaugural final". MLSsoccer.com. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Apple and Major League Soccer Announce MLS Season Pass Coverage Plans for Leagues Cup 2023, including Enhanced Productions for Inter Miami CF Matches, Live Coverage of Lionel Messi's Unveiling, and Major Training Session" (Press release). Major League Soccer. July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Leagues Cup 2023: Standings, teams, schedule, TV and streaming". USA Today. July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TUDN, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 13, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Leagues Cup » All-time Topscorers". worldfootball.net. August 20, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
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