Leagues Cup Returns With a Bang — And a New, Slimmed-Down Look

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Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup is back with a bang — and a new, slimmed-down format! Updated Jul. 30, 2025, 5:38 p.m. ET

Will this be the year that Liga MX finally breaks MLS’s hold on the Leagues Cup? The third edition of the expanded Leagues Cup tournament kicked off on Tuesday night with six matches across the U.S. and Canada. The last two editions of the Leagues Cup featured all-MLS finals, with MLS clubs Inter Miami and Columbus Crew taking home the trophy in those previous tournaments. wing spiker

Last year, Lionel Messi famously led Inter Miami to the 2023 title before even making his official MLS debut, scoring 10 goals in seven appearances — including the decisive goal against Nashville. In 2024, the Columbus Crew defeated LAFC in a rematch of the previous fall’s MLS Cup final. However, a format change this year favours the teams from south of the Rio Grande. csb university

Leagues Cup Predictions and Teams to Watch

Firstly, while all MLS franchises participated in the Leagues Cup over the last two years, only the 18 American and Canadian teams that qualified for the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs are involved this time around (with the exception of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have been replaced by expansion side San Diego FC), joining all 18 Liga MX clubs.

Secondly, intra-league matches are no more: MLS clubs and those from Mexico won’t face opponents from their own leagues during the first phase of the Leagues Cup or in the quarterfinals. This change likely benefits the Liga MX teams, which are not limited by the strict roster and salary restrictions that hinder MLS teams in international competitions.

Tuesday’s results indicate this, with Mexican teams winning five of the six games, including dominant three-goal victories by Puebla over NYCFC and Tigres over the Houston Dynamo. The Montreal Impact gave MLS its only win, stunning James Rodriguez-led Leon in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 deadlock at Stade Saputo.

“Players will talk, and I guarantee some of the talk was that this isn’t fair that every single club from MLS and we only have 18,” said National Soccer Hall of Famer DaMarcus Beasley, a former standout for Puebla who retired with the Dynamo, in an interview with FOX Sports. “If I play for Puebla and I’m going to the United States to play against Toluca, it’s like a league game. It’s not that exciting because I’ve been playing them for six months. So I think the new format changes that. Every single game being against a different league makes it more exciting for both players and fans.”

Exciting Matches Ahead

The Leagues Cup really picks up momentum on Wednesday with some exciting matches. mountain time to philippine time converter Rodrigo de Paul, Messi’s World Cup-winning Argentina teammate, is set to make his debut for Miami against Atlas. Club America, Mexico’s biggest club, will face Real Salt Lake and rising USMNT talent Diego Luna. FS1 will feature a doubleheader, showcasing Orlando City against Pumas, followed by Portland Timbers against San Luis, starting at 8 p.m. ET. bonus365ph download

The tournament’s fast pace continues for over a week, with seven match days featuring at least five games each between July 31 and August 8. This endless summer of soccer will conclude with the Leagues Cup final on August 31, after which teams on both sides of the Mexican border will shift their focus back to their domestic leagues.

It’s still too early to tell if the new format will capture the imagination of fans and media alike as the inaugural event did when Messi made his debut two summers ago. However, this latest edition should provide a clearer picture of how MLS measures up against Mexico’s top division and perhaps energise the millions of supporters who have kept Liga MX as the most-watched soccer property in the U read choi.S., even surpassing England’s Premier League.

While Mexico’s long-standing dominance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, especially on home ground, remains a clear indicator, the critical stages of that tournament occur early in the MLS season, limiting its competitive edge. Conversely, past Leagues Cup champions Miami and Columbus undoubtedly benefited from the fact that no Leagues Cup matches are held in Mexico, where American and Canadian clubs have struggled historically.

If this year’s format switch indeed levels the playing field for the visitors as intended, we could witness the most competitive and thrilling Leagues Cup yet. What are your thoughts on the changes to this year’s Leagues Cup?

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