In exciting news for soccer fans, the Leagues Cup tournament is set to kick off on July 26 and conclude with a final match on August 25. This joint MLS and Liga MX competition features all 47 clubs battling it out for the regional title and three automatic spots in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The tournament format has been revised for this year, with teams divided into 15 groups of three. Two byes into the knockout round have been awarded to Liga MX champion Club America and MLS Cup winner Columbus Crew. Unlike the previous edition, teams are now split into groups within two regions: East and West.
Group distribution was determined using a newly implemented 'Leagues Cup Ranking' system. Teams were placed into three tiers based on their 2023 regular season performances. The group selection took into account competitive balance and travel considerations.
One of the standout groups is East 3, which features current title-holders Inter Miami CF, led by the legendary Lionel Messi. They will face off against Liga MX's Tigres, the 2023 Apertura finalist, and Puebla, a strong Apertura quarterfinalist. This group promises intense competition and is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Another exciting matchup awaits in West 2, as the prominent LA Galaxy and Chivas clash against each other. All eyes will be on Guadalajara legend Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez as he faces his former MLS side. Additionally, there is added intrigue with United States men's national team winger Cade Cowell, who recently left the San Jose Earthquakes to join Chivas.
The group stage matches will not end in ties, with penalty shootouts being used to determine a winner and award an additional point in case of a draw. After playing each team within their group once, the top two from each group move on to the knockout round, joining Club America and Columbus Crew. The remaining knockout round matches, including a third place game, will be single-elimination.
All matches will continue to be played in the United States and Canada. However, a new modification for 2024 permits 'hub privileges' for the top-ranked Mexican teams. This change aims to reduce travel for these teams. Specific venues will be designated as home stadiums for the four highest-ranked Mexican teams based on the Leagues Cup Ranking.
America will host matches through the semifinals, Monterrey through the Round of 16, Chivas up to the Round of 32, and Tigres during the group stage. The four Liga MX hubs are yet to be revealed, with the selection taking into account team preferences and fan reactions.
While playing games in Mexico has not been ruled out for future editions, organizers remain mindful of Concacaf-sanctioned competitions and aim to cater to fans in both Liga MX and MLS. The Leagues Cup Committee, consisting of representatives from both leagues, will determine the schedule and playoff brackets for the tournament.
In the previous edition of the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami emerged as champions by defeating Nashville SC in the final. The victory marked a milestone as it was the first edition to feature every team from MLS and Liga MX.
As anticipation builds for the 2024 Leagues Cup, soccer enthusiasts eagerly await the exciting matchups between top clubs. With the revised format and competitive groups, this year's tournament promises thrilling moments and fierce competition. Stay tuned for more updates on individual match schedules and playoff fixtures as the Leagues Cup draws near.
