The Leagues Cup schedule is here, bringing together the best of MLS and Liga MX for a thrilling tournament. This exciting competition features a unique format, combining group stages and knockout rounds, culminating in a champion crowned at the end.
Get ready for intense rivalries, unexpected upsets, and the potential for some truly memorable moments on the pitch.
The 2023 Leagues Cup is set to be a spectacle, with teams from both sides of the border vying for supremacy. From the fierce rivalry between LA Galaxy and Club América to the exciting potential of up-and-coming teams, this tournament promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans of both leagues.
Leagues Cup Overview
The Leagues Cup is an annual soccer tournament that pits clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) against teams from Liga MX, Mexico’s top professional soccer league. The tournament was established in 2023 as a way to foster competition and collaboration between the two leagues, and it has quickly become a major event on the North American soccer calendar.
Participating Teams
The Leagues Cup features all 29 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX teams. This includes some of the most prestigious and successful clubs in North America, such as LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, Club América, and Chivas Guadalajara.
Tournament Format
The Leagues Cup is divided into two stages: a group stage and a knockout stage. The group stage features 15 groups of three teams, with each team playing the other two in their group once. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage is a single-elimination tournament, with the winner of each match advancing to the next round. The tournament culminates in a final match to determine the Leagues Cup champion.
2023 Leagues Cup Schedule
The 2023 Leagues Cup schedule is packed with exciting matchups. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and matches:
Group Stage, Leagues cup schedule
| Date | Time | Teams | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 21, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Inter Miami CF vs. Cruz Azul | DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| July 21, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Nashville SC vs. Club América | Geodis Park, Nashville, TN |
| July 22, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | FC Dallas vs. Mazatlán FC | Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX |
| July 22, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Orlando City SC vs. Santos Laguna | Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL |
| July 23, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | New England Revolution vs. Atlético San Luis | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA |
| July 23, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Charlotte FC vs. León | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| July 24, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres UANL | Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT |
| July 24, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA |
| July 25, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Austin FC vs. Necaxa | Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX |
| July 25, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | LAFC vs. Atlas | BMO Field, Toronto, ON |
| July 26, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Seattle Sounders FC vs. UNAM Pumas | Lumen Field, Seattle, WA |
| July 26, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Sporting Kansas City vs. Monterrey | Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS |
| July 27, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Guadalajara | BC Place, Vancouver, BC |
| July 27, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Colorado Rapids vs. Toluca | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO |
| July 28, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | New York Red Bulls vs. Querétaro | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ |
| July 28, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Philadelphia Union vs. Pachuca | Subaru Park, Chester, PA |
| July 29, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Toronto FC vs. San Luis | BMO Field, Toronto, ON |
| July 29, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | DC United vs. Puebla | Audi Field, Washington, DC |
| July 30, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Chicago Fire FC vs. Juárez | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| July 30, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Minnesota United FC vs. Tijuana | Allianz Field, St. Paul, MN |
| July 31, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | New York City FC vs. Atlético San Luis | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY |
| July 31, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Houston Dynamo FC vs. Monterrey | Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX |
| August 1, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | FC Cincinnati vs. Cruz Azul | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH |
| August 1, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Portland Timbers vs. Santos Laguna | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
| August 2, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | D.C. United vs. Pachuca | Audi Field, Washington, DC |
| August 2, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | San Jose Earthquakes vs. Tigres UANL | PayPal Park, San Jose, CA |
| August 3, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET | Columbus Crew vs. Atlas | Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH |
| August 3, 2023 | 10:00 PM ET | Atlanta United FC vs. León | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
Knockout Stage
The knockout stage of the Leagues Cup will begin on August 4, 2023, with the final scheduled for August 19, 2023.
Key Matchups and Rivalries
The Leagues Cup features a number of anticipated high-profile matchups and historical rivalries. These games are sure to draw a lot of attention and excitement from fans.
LA Galaxy vs. Club América
This matchup pits two of the most successful and popular clubs in North America against each other. The LA Galaxy have won five MLS Cups, while Club América has won 13 Liga MX titles. The two teams have a history of playing in friendly matches, and this Leagues Cup encounter is sure to be a highly competitive affair.
Toronto FC vs. Club América
Toronto FC and Club América have met in the CONCACAF Champions League, with Club América emerging victorious. This matchup is sure to be a fierce battle, as both teams have a strong history of success and a passionate fan base.
Inter Miami CF vs. Cruz Azul
Inter Miami CF and Cruz Azul are two of the newest teams in their respective leagues, but they have already developed a strong rivalry. Both teams are known for their attacking style of play, and this matchup is sure to be an exciting and entertaining affair.
Broadcast Information
The Leagues Cup matches will be broadcast on a variety of television and streaming platforms. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:
Television
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (live and on-demand)
- Univision (select matches)
- TUDN (select matches)
Streaming
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (live and on-demand)
- Univision Now (select matches)
- TUDN.com (select matches)
Fans should check their local listings for specific broadcast schedules and availability.
Tournament Impact and Significance
The Leagues Cup is a significant event for both MLS and Liga MX. The tournament provides an opportunity for the two leagues to showcase their talent and compete on a global stage. It also helps to foster international competition and collaboration between the two leagues.
Impact on Participating Teams and Leagues
The Leagues Cup provides participating teams with a chance to gain valuable experience against international competition. The tournament also offers the opportunity for teams to build their brand and attract new fans. For the leagues, the Leagues Cup is a way to increase their visibility and generate revenue.
Fostering International Competition and Collaboration
The Leagues Cup is a major step towards fostering international competition and collaboration between MLS and Liga MX. The tournament provides a platform for players and coaches from both leagues to learn from each other and build relationships. It also helps to create a sense of unity and shared purpose between the two leagues.
Implications for Future Editions
The success of the 2023 Leagues Cup is likely to have a significant impact on future editions of the tournament. The tournament is expected to continue to grow in popularity and become a major event on the North American soccer calendar.
Final Conclusion
The Leagues Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of the beautiful game, bridging two continents and uniting passionate fans. With a dynamic format, captivating matchups, and the promise of thrilling competition, the Leagues Cup is poised to leave a lasting impact on both MLS and Liga MX, solidifying its place as a premier international competition.