One of the most criticized tournaments in 2023 will return this summer, surely with more controversy and other issues that will certainly keep fans glued to their seats.
The upcoming edition of the Leagues Cup will be the second to feature all teams from Liga MX and from Major League Soccer. The first run of this tournament under the current format saw Lionel Messi's Inter Miami claiming the title against Nashville, which incidentally became the first where a Major League Soccer club took the trophy home.
Liga MX teams criticized the competition due to several problems caused by complicated logistics, which saw them travel several miles between matches. Now, there will be certain Liga MX clubs that will be granted some perks, which will keep them in a single venue until late stages of the tournament. América, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tigres UANL are the teams that will enjoy that benefit.
Just like last year, 45 teams have been drawn into fifteen groups. Eight of those will belong to the West, leaving seven for the East. Two more teams, one from each league, have been given a bye and were already handed a spot in the KO stage. Those teams are the 2023 MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, and the Apertura 2023 holders, América.
The draw has also paired up two Mexican clubs against title holders Inter Miami. Tigres UANL and Puebla will try to put an end to the Herons' reign in the tournament, although that might be easier said than done.
Here is the list of groups as shared by MLS officers.
The competition is set to begin on July 26. Meanwhile, the title match will be held on August 25. For all updates related to this competition, please visit our bespoke Leagues Cup site.
