Tuesday night will feature several MLS and LIGA MX teams seeking revenge in Leagues Cup as they look to punch their ticket to the tournament's Quarterfinals. In the Leagues Cup 2023, both the Colorado Rapids and St. Louis CITY SC were eliminated in the Group Stage at the hands of LIGA MX opponents Toluca and Club América, respectively. This evening, both teams have a chance to avenge those defeats and meet in the Quarterfinal round.
In MLS vs. MLS action, FC Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Union have been two of the best teams in the league over the past two seasons. For Philadelphia, this will mark the first time they face Cincinnati in a knockout round tournament since the Orange and Blue took them out in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Earlier this season, Inter Miami CF staked their claim as the best team in MLS when they defeated the Columbus Crew, 2-1, at Chase Stadium on June 19. In the Round of 16, that task will be amplified as they travel to Lower.com Field in Columbus, where the Crew will look to end the Herons’ hopes of back-to-back Leagues Cup titles.
The lone Round of 16 result so far saw Seattle Sounders FC defeat Pumas, 4-0, in a rematch of the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup final, in which Seattle prevailed. The Sounders await the winner of LAFC and the San Jose Earthquakes for a spot in the semifinals of Leagues Cup 2024.
- Olivier Giroud spent time with Will Ferrell ahead of the LAFC vs. Austin FC matchup in the Leagues Cup Round of 32. Instagram
- 2024 MLS All-Stars Maarten Paes and Petar Musa threw out the first pitch at Globe Life Field as part of the Texas Rangers’ FC Dallas Night. Instagram
- Season tickets for San Diego FC’s 2025 debut went on sale Monday, August 12. Twitter
The play of LAFC midfielder Cristian Olivera and San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse could prove to be the difference on Tuesday night, as the two teams meet at BMO Stadium in a decisive Round of 16 battle (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Ebobisse leads all Leagues Cup 2024 scorers with four goals in three matches, including two of the five goals scored against LIGA MX foe Necaxa in the Round of 32. San Jose, who hadn’t won back-to-back games across all competitions since May, have advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time with renewed confidence.
Olivera has been a constant threat during Leagues Cup 2024. The Uruguayan forward, who joined LAFC in 2023, is tied for second in the tournament with three goals and has tallied 23 completed passes in three games for the Black & Gold. Forward Denis Bouanga remains another core piece of LAFC’s attack with two goals and three assists in three Leagues Cup matches. Dating back to Leagues Cup 2023, Bouanga has eight goals and six assists in the competition and has contributed either a goal or assist in all six of his Leagues Cup appearances.
Twenty-four hours remain until the close of the Secondary Transfer Window for U.S.-based clubs on Wednesday, August 14, as teams look to make their final splashes in the marketplace this summer. With star signings Olivier Giroud (LAFC), Ezequiel Ponce (Houston Dynamo FC), and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) in fold, many MLS clubs have already added significant talent and strengthened their rosters ahead of their push to the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. However, time remains for others to do the same prior to the close of the window.
In the two 2024 transfer windows, 10 different clubs have made reported team-record signings, including Houston’s addition of Ponce, New England’s signing of Luca Langoni, and Austin FC’s addition of Osman Bukari this window. Many of the record-setting signings, including 2024 MLS All-Stars Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy) and Petar Musa (FC Dallas), have made immediate impacts with their respective clubs and remain in the thick of the postseason picture.
In addition to marquee Designated Player signings, the U22 Initiative has also led to clubs spending more money on emerging stars with four of the top-five most expensive U22 signings in MLS history having entered the league this season, including Langoni (New England Revolution), Jovan Mijatović and AgustĂn Ojeda (New York City FC), and Federico Redondo (Inter Miami CF).
A key component of the roster rule enhancements announced on July 18, all MLS rosters can now feature six prime roster spots. This adjustment eliminated previous limitations, allowing clubs to utilize all three Designated Player and all three U22 Initiative Player slots – increasing their ability to acquire or retain world-class players and emerging talents. Additionally, clubs must choose one of two roster construction models for their six prime roster slots involving Designated Players and U22 Initiative Players. Clubs have until the close of the Secondary Transfer Window this Wednesday to declare their model – the Designated Player Model or U22 Initiative Player Model.
For more information on the two player models, click here. MLS Communications will also share a complete list of the path selections by club following the close of the transfer window.
MLS NEXT Pro’s most recently announced independent team, CT United FC revealed its brand identity, unveiling a crest that blends local pride and history with the core values of the club.
Two coywolves adorn the crest at its center, representing adaptability, resilience, and the blending of different heritages, as well as unity and teamwork. The Charter Oak Leaf represents when the Royal Charter of Connecticut was hidden in the hollow of the Charter Oak to prevent its confiscation by the British; this act of clever defiance embodies the spirit of boldness, resourcefulness and fearlessness that CT United FC aims to bring to the field. Eight pathway lines are oriented at the top and center of the crest, representing the eight counties of the state. These pathways signify the club’s mission to unite the state of Connecticut under one banner.
The colors of the crest were also chosen for specific reasons: Park City Purple is associated with ambition and creativity; Azure Breeze Blue echoes the expansive blue backdrop of the Connecticut flag and symbolizes the team’s spirit of community and collaboration; Pitch Black represents the team’s courage and unwavering determination; Mountain Laurel White is a tribute to the state flower, representing perseverance and achievement.
Schedules and Information
- Leagues Cup 2024 Match Schedule | CLICK HERE
- Official Press Conferences Zoom and Download | CLICK HERE
- Leagues Cup 2024 Game Notes | CLICK HERE
- Leagues Cup 2024 Press Releases | CLICK HERE
- Leagues Cup 2024 Tournament Policy and Media Policies| CLICK HERE
- Tournament Media Contacts | CLICK HERE
- To register and access the Leagues Cup 2024 Content Hub | CLICK HERE
Media Accreditation
- The online media credential applications for each match is accepting requests here. 
- For further media credential information, please contact Erika Mach, Accreditation Officer Erika.mach@leaguescup.com
- For Rights Holders information, please contact Johanna.rojas@mlssoccer.com.
Media Assets  
- Leagues Cup 2024 Anthem | CLICK HERE
- Manifesto Leagues Cup 2024 | CLICK HERE
- For TV networks and affiliates interested in highlights for use during news windows only, please sign up here in advance of the tournament: https://mls.imagencloud.com/
For any media interested in Leagues Cup highlights outside the news window, please contact Juliana Rodriguez (Juliana.Rodriguez@MLSsoccer.com ).
