Welcome to the ultimate guide to the 2023 Leagues Cup, the groundbreaking tournament that brings together MLS and Liga MX clubs in a thrilling competition across the United States and Canada. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into every aspect of the Leagues Cup, from the tournament format and standings to the participating teams and their schedules. Moreover, we’ll provide you with detailed information about TV and streaming options, ensuring you never miss a moment of this action-packed event.
The Leagues Cup Format
The Leagues Cup, in its inaugural edition, promises to be a captivating month-long spectacle. Kicking off on July 21, the tournament features 15 three-team groups based on geographical regions, comprising a mix of MLS and Liga MX teams. The participating clubs will engage in round-robin play, vying for the top two spots in each group to advance to the knockout stage.
The Knockout Stage
The knockout stage begins with one-off matches that will run through to the final on August 19. The winner of the Leagues Cup final will secure a coveted spot in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16, offering them an opportunity to compete at the highest level in North and Central America.
Unique Tiebreaker Rule
In the spirit of elevating excitement and encouraging decisive results, the Leagues Cup will implement an intriguing tiebreaker rule. Unlike regular league matches, draws will be discarded in the group stage. When a match ends in a draw, both teams will proceed to a penalty kick shootout, with the winner earning two points and the loser one. This bold approach ensures every match produces a definitive outcome.
Participating Teams and Groups
Let’s take a closer look at the participating teams and their respective groups in the Leagues Cup 2023.
West One Group
The West One Group features three teams: Tigres, Portland Timbers, and San Jose Earthquakes. Tigres has demonstrated its prowess in the early stages of the tournament, securing two wins in as many games. Portland Timbers showed resilience in their encounter with San Jose Earthquakes, coming out victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
West Two Group
In the West Two Group, CF Monterrey, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle Sounders battle for supremacy. CF Monterrey has had a dominant start to the tournament, notching two wins with an impressive goal difference of +5.
West Three Group
The West Three Group consists of Club Léon, Vancouver Whitecaps, and LA Galaxy. Club Léon showed composure in their closely contested match against Vancouver Whitecaps, emerging triumphant in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Central One Group
The Central One Group showcases Columbus Crew, Club América, and St. Louis City SC. Columbus Crew has set the pace in this group, registering two wins and displaying a goal-hungry performance with six goals scored.
Central Two Group
The Central Two Group includes Chicago Fire, Minnesota United, and Puebla. Chicago Fire and Minnesota United both secured wins in their opening matches, and Puebla will seek redemption after a penalty shootout loss to Minnesota United.
Central Three Group
FC Cincinnati, Sporting Kansas City, and Chivas compete in the Central Three Group. FC Cincinnati demonstrated their penalty shootout prowess, clinching victory over Sporting Kansas City after a 3-3 draw.
Central Four Group
Toluca, Nashville SC, and Colorado Rapids form the Central Four Group. Toluca displayed their attacking prowess, scoring an impressive eight goals in two matches to lead the group.
South One Group
In the South One Group, Mazatlán FC, FC Juárez, and Austin FC vie for supremacy. Mazatlán FC emerged victorious in both their matches, displaying a potent attacking force with four goals scored.
South Two Group
Orlando City, Houston Dynamo, and Santos Laguna form the South Two Group. Orlando City and Houston Dynamo showcased their penalty shootout proficiency, winning their respective matches after 1-1 draws.
South Three Group
The South Three Group includes Inter Miami, Cruz Azul, and Atlanta United. Inter Miami displayed an impressive goal-scoring performance, netting six goals in their two wins.
South Four Group
Charlotte FC, FC Dallas, and Necaxa compete in the South Four Group. Charlotte FC and FC Dallas displayed their penalty shootout proficiency, securing wins after 2-2 draws in their opening matches.
Leagues Cup Schedule
The Leagues Cup schedule promises a captivating display of soccer talent and excitement. Matches are set to unfold across the United States and Canada, treating fans to thrilling encounters. Here’s a glimpse of the upcoming knockout round fixtures:
Round of 32 (August 2, 2023)
- Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC – DRV PNK Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Mazatlán FC vs. FC Dallas – Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX, 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET)
- C.F. Pachuca vs. Houston Dynamo FC – Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX, 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET)
- LAFC vs. FC Juarez – BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET)
- Atlas FC vs. New England Revolution – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia Union vs. DC United – Subaru Park, Chester, PA, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Pumas vs. Querétaro – Audi Field, Washington, DC, 8:00 p.m. ET
- New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Charlotte FC vs. Cruz Azul – Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX, 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET)
- León vs. Real Salt Lake – America First Field, Sandy, UT, 8:30 p.m. MT (10:30 p.m. ET)
- Columbus Crew vs. Minnesota United – Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH, 8:00 p.m. ET
- FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC – TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Chicago Fire vs. Club America – SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL, 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Toluca vs. Sporting Kansas City – Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS, 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET)
- Monterrey vs. Portland Timbers – Providence Park, Portland, OR, 7:00 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET)
- Tigres vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada, 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET)
Note: Match-ups for the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals will be announced after the conclusion of the
group stage.
Semifinals (September 15, 2023)
- Semifinal No. 1 – Teams and kickoff time TBD
- Semifinal No. 2 – Teams and kickoff time TBD
Third-Place Game (August 19, 2023)
- Teams and kickoff time TBD
Final (August 19, 2023)
- Teams and kickoff time TBD
TV and Streaming Options
Don’t miss a single moment of the Leagues Cup action! The tournament will be broadcast on various platforms, ensuring you can watch your favorite teams compete live. Catch all the matches on MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app. Additionally, select games will be televised on Televisa, Univision, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.
Conclusion
The Leagues Cup 2023 promises to be an exhilarating and historic tournament, with top MLS and Liga MX clubs battling for supremacy across the United States and Canada. The unique tiebreaker rule, rich variety of teams, and knockout stage format guarantee a soccer spectacle like no other. Tune in to your preferred TV channel or streaming platform to witness the excitement unfold and support your favorite teams as they aim to lift the prestigious Leagues Cup trophy.
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Please note that the content of this article is for illustrative purposes only, and any specific match results, teams’ performances, or other details are purely fictional and not based on actual events.