Leagues Cup explained: How MLS vs. Liga MX competition works as Lionel Messi, Inter Miami face Liga MX’s Atlas

Leagues Cup, the interleague competitors between Main League Soccer and Liga MX, kicks off on Tuesday because the Columbus Crew will look to defend their title aas the event encompasses a new wrinkle — solely 18 MLS groups and 18 Liga MX groups in their very own teams.

The event will run from July 29-Aug. 31 with league play in MLS pausing for Section One and resuming on Aug. 9. This is every thing that that you must know concerning the event: 

A break within the motion

The MLS season could also be getting right down to the enterprise finish of the competitors with groups having 10-13 video games remaining, however it’s time for a pause to play one other cup competitors. Fixture congestion has already been a problem with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba already being suspended as a result of skipping out on the All-Star sport to get extra relaxation, however now the Herons will participate of their third cup competitors of the season, probably the most of any staff, together with the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC. Most groups are solely in two cup competitions this season as MLS seems to be to fight fixture congestion, however now with groups in playoff positions needing to play three video games in eight days, with extra to come back in the event that they make the knockout levels, it stays to be seen if Leagues Cup might be an excessive amount of on their legs.

Making the League Cup extra unique with solely 18 MLS groups, making the event cuts down on matches within the knockout stage, Section One will nonetheless have vital minutes for every participant in matches the place they cannot afford to lose.

Leagues Cup format

• Who performs who within the group stage? Section One of many event will solely see golf equipment from MLS face Liga MX sides.
• Who advances to the knockouts? Matches will happen between golf equipment from each leagues, and standings might be separated with every league in their very own desk, with the highest 4 advancing to the quarterfinals, which is able to happen on Aug. 19-20. Due to this, objective distinction and successful in regulation might be essential as a result of groups can end the group stage successful all their matches however nonetheless miss out on the knockouts as a result of objective distinction. 
• Can there be ties? Video games can’t finish in ties, and if one is degree on the finish of regulation, a penalty shootout will resolve the winner. Three factors are earned for a win in regulation, one level for a regulation draw, and two factors for the winner of the penalty shootout.

The event’s new wrinkle

Leagues Cup is extra unique now with solely the highest 9 groups in every MLS convention qualifying to match the 18 members from Liga MX. Will probably be more durable than ever to advance to the knockouts, with solely the highest 4 groups from every desk advancing to the quarterfinals. With this setup, even when an MLS staff has a better factors whole than a Liga MX staff within the reverse desk, if they don’t seem to be within the prime 4 of the MLS desk, they will not advance, guaranteeing that each match has drama from matchday one to matchday three. Enlargement aspect San Diego FC will even make their Leagues Cup debut after simply starting MLS play this season.

Why are San Diego FC within the event?

Not each MLS staff will take part anymore, with groups now needing to qualify through the league desk, the place solely the highest 9 groups from every convention make it.  Because of the Vancouver Whitecaps competing in Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship, their spot within the competitors might be taken by enlargement aspect San Diego FC, who will look to construct on their quick begin to life in MLS, the place they’re on the prime of the West.

Leagues Cup standings 

Group A

Group B

Leagues Cup schedule and outcomes

All instances Japanese. All matches out there on MLS Season Go.

Tuesday, July 29

• Toluca vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m.
• CF Montreal vs. Membership Leon, 7 p.m.
• NYCFC vs. Puebla, 8 p.m.
• Tigres vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m.
• LAFC vs. Mazatlan, 10:30 p.m. 
• Pachuca vs. San Diego FC, 11 p.m.

Wednesday, July 30

• Inter Miami vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m.
• Necaxa vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m.
• Pumas vs. Orlando Metropolis, 8 p.m.
• Minnesota United vs. Queretaro, 8:30 p.m.
• Membership America vs. Actual Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
• Portland vs. San Luis, 10:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 31

• Monterrey vs. Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
• Chivas Guadalajara vs. RBNY, 7:30 p.m.
• Charlotte vs. Juarez, 7:30 p.m.
• Colorado Rapids vs. Santos Laguna, 9:30 p.m.
• Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders 10:30 p.m.
• LA Galaxy vs. Membership Tijuana, 11 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 1

• NYCFC vs. Membership Leon, 6 p.m. 
• Columbus Crew vs. Puebla, 7 p.m.
• Houston Dynamo vs. Mazatlan, 8:30 p.m.
• Toluca vs. Montreal, 9 p.m.
• LAFC vs. Pachuca, 10:30 p.m.
• Tigres vs. San Diego, 11 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 2

• Orlando Metropolis vs. Atlas, 6 p.m.
• Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m.
• Pumas vs. Atlanta United, 9 p.m.
• Membership America vs. Minnesota United, 9 p.m.
• Actual Salt Lake vs. San Luis, 9:30 p.m.
• Portland Timbers vs. Queretaro, 11 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 3

• Cincinnati vs. Juarez, 5:30 p.m.
• Chivas Guadalajara vs. Charlotte, 7:50 p.m.
• Monterrey vs. RBNY, 8:30 p.m.
• Colorado Rapids vs. Membership Tijuana, 9:30 p.m.
• Seattle Sounders vs. Santos Laguna, 10:30 p.m.
• LA Galaxy vs. Cruz Azul, 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 5

• Columbus Crew vs. Membership Leon, 7:30 p.m.
• Toluca vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
• Montreal vs. Puebla, 8 p.m.
• Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca, 8:30 p.m.
• Mazatlan vs. San Diego, 10 p.m.
• Tigres vs. LAFC, 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

• Orlando Metropolis vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m.
• Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m.
• Atlanta United vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m.
• Minnesota United vs. San Luis, 8:30 p.m.
• Actual Salt Lake vs. Queretaro, 9:30 p.m.
• Membership America vs. Portland Timbers, 9:30 p.m.
• Seattle Sounders vs. Membership Tijuana, 11 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 7

• Cincinnati vs. Chivas Guadalajara, 7 p.m.
• Monterrey vs. Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
• RBNY vs. Juarez, 7:30 p.m.
• Cruz Azul vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m.
• LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna, 11 p.m.

Following completion of the group stage, the quarterfinals will nonetheless be set with MLS dealing with Liga MX as follows:

• MLS 1 vs. LIGA MX 4
• MLS 2 vs. LIGA MX 3
• MLS 3 vs. LIGA MX 2
• MLS 4 vs. LIGA MX 1

When is the knockout part, semifinals, closing and extra?

• Section One: July 29 – August 7
• Quarterfinals: August 19-20
• Semifinals: August 26-27
• Third Place: August 31
• Closing: August 31

What are the tiebreakers?

For any golf equipment degree on factors after the top of Section One, the next tiebreakers might be utilized so as:

1. Wins in common time
2. Objective differential
3. Most targets scored
4. Fewest targets conceded
5. Fewest factors within the honest play desk (yellow and purple card accumulation)
6. Draw organized by Leagues Cup