MLS and Liga MX announced Thursday the qualification criteria, match dates and other details for the second edition of Leagues Cup, which will feature an expanded competition with eight clubs from each of the two top soccer leagues in North America.
Match schedule
The single-elimination matches will be played midweek during the summer with the final played on September 16.
- July 21-22: Round of 16
- Aug. 4-5: Quarterfinals
- Aug. 25-26: Semifinals
- Sept. 16: Final
Participating clubs
MLS and Liga MX have unveiled the clubs that will be participating in the competition.
The eight teams representing MLS will be the top four clubs from each of the Eastern and Western Conference that have not already qualified to the Concacaf Champions League:
- Eastern Conference #1: Philadelphia Union
- Eastern Conference #2: Toronto FC
- Eastern Conference #3 D.C. United
- Eastern Conference #4: NY Red Bulls
- Western Conference #1: Real Salt Lake
- Western Conference #2: Minnesota United FC
- Western Conference #3: LA Galaxy
- Western Conference #4: Portland Timbers
Liga MX will send the following eight representatives. As of today, the Apertura 2019 champions, CF Monterrey, are the first team to qualify from Liga MX for Leagues Cup 2020:
- Campeón de Campeones Champion (CF Monterrey or Clausura 2020 champion)
- Campeón de Campeones Runner-Up (CF Monterrey or Clausura 2020 champion)
- Copa MX Champion
- Five top-ranked Liga MX teams from the combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table that have not already qualified via Campeon de Campeones or Copa MX
Format: Seeding in 2020
New for the 2020 edition of the tournament will be the inclusion of a draw to determine the matchups between clubs from both leagues ahead of the Round of 16.
MLS and Liga MX teams will be seeded No. 1 through No. 8 and drawn to ensure the most competitive matches, with a second draw held ahead of the quarterfinals, allowing for reseeding and guaranteeing the most interleague play possible. The tournament bracket is locked in after the quarterfinal draw.
- MLS 1: Philadelphia Union (55 points in 2019)
- MLS 2: Real Salt Lake (53 points in 2019)
- MLS 3: Minnesota United FC (53 points in 2019)
- MLS 4: LA Galaxy (51 points in 2019)
- MLS 5: Toronto FC (50 points in 2019)
- MLS 6: D.C. United (50 points in 2019)
- MLS 7: Portland Timbers (49 points in 2019)
- MLS 8: NY Red Bulls (48 points in 2019)
- LMX 1: Campeón de Campeones Champion (CF Monterrey or Clausura 2020 champion)
- LMX 2: Campeón de Campeones Runner-Up (CF Monterrey or Clausura 2020 champion)
- LMX 3: Copa MX Champion (April 15)
- LMX 4: Top ranked teams from combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table (May 10)
- LMX 5: Top ranked teams from combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table (May 10)
- LMX 6: Top ranked teams from combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table (May 10)
- LMX 7: Top ranked teams from combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table (May 10)
- LMX 8: Top ranked teams from combined Apertura 2019 & Clausura 2020 table (May 10)
Similar to the 2019 edition, all matches between MLS and Liga MX clubs will be played in the home market of the MLS team. In the event of a same-league matchup in the later stages of the tournament, the inter-MLS games will be hosted at the MLS market of the higher-seeded team. Matches featuring two Liga MX teams, as well as the Leagues Cup Final, will be played in a neutral US-based venue to be announced.
Tickets & TV
Each participating MLS club will announce ticket information in the coming weeks. Fans interested in attending matches can sign up at www.LeaguesCup.com to receive more information on tickets when it becomes available.
The tournament – which will be broadcast on the Univision and ESPN family of networks in the United States, TSN and TVA in Canada, and Televisa in Mexico.
For a recap of the 2019 inaugural tournament check out the video below:
