Seven Leagues Cup games tonight
Puebla vs. Miami and Chivas vs. San Jose are among the highlights. Check out the full schedule here.
Inter Miami sign Taylor to contract extension
Inter Miami CF have signed winger Robert Taylor to a contract extension through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027. The 29-year-old Finland international has tallied 16g/19a in 101 appearances (all competitions) and played a crucial role in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup 2023-winning side.
A whopping 21 goals were scored across five Leagues Cup opening night matches. Here’s what you might have missed.
We’re not crowning Austin FC a Leagues Cup favorite or anything just yet. But this was an imposing result for Josh Wolff’s group.
After Osman Bukari’s first-half red card, Austin played 60-plus minutes with 10 men. And that was against Pumas, one of LIGA MX’s best! There’s a very realistic timeline where things got out of hand at Q2 Stadium.
Instead, Austin bought themselves some breathing room via a classy finish from Gyasi Zardes and Sebastián Driussi ending his two-plus-month scoring drought. Then Stefan Cleveland, stepping in for normal starter Brad Stuver, made an incredible penalty-kick save in second-half stoppage time to preserve the win and thwart Pumas’ comeback attempt.
You’ll want to watch the highlights in their entirety.
Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle had LAFC in Tier 1 of his Leagues Cup preview for a reason. They’re an absolute wagon when getting out on the counter-attack.
Tijuana must not have gotten the memo, because Cristian Olivera and Denis Bouanga made life miserable for their guests at BMO Stadium. Good luck to any defender who has those wingers making run after run at them. Absolutely terrifying.
We can basically book LAFC’s knockout-round spot already.
A reminder: Leagues Cup games that end in a draw go straight to penalty kicks (no extra time). I love this format. It adds to the drama and encourages attacking play, giving the winner an extra point.
Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, D.C. United benefitted from this. Alex Bono was their PK hero after Daniel Ríos and Jared Stroud traded braces in regulation time.
It’s more misery for Atlanta, who really need to get their Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis replacements right. But for D.C., it’s another sign that maybe (just maybe) they’ve turned their season around.
We admittedly didn’t learn a ton here. Orlando are a better team than Montréal, especially at home with Facundo Torres and Martín Ojeda both in form. The Lions could go on a deep tournament run.
It was looking pretty decent for Minnesota… until Hassani Dotson was red-carded midway through the second half. Everything unraveled from there.
Just like when these teams met in mid-June at Lumen Field, homegrowns Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock scored to give Seattle all three points. The only difference was that came in MLS play and not Leagues Cup.
Listed in order of “watchability,” seven Leagues Cup matches are on deck tonight. Buckle up, folks. We’re treated to four MLS vs. LIGA clashes.
Club Puebla vs. Inter Miami CF
Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Saturday, 8 pm ET
Watchability Score: 43/50
Inter Miami begin their Leagues Cup title defense against a LIGA MX team they’re undoubtedly better than. Sure, it comes while Lionel Messi recovers from an ankle injury. But Tata Martino’s squad boasts insane depth and should handle Puebla just fine.
Chivas de Guadalajara vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Watch: Apple TV - Free, Univision, FS1 | Saturday, 10 pm ET
Watchability Score: 39/50
A massive crowd is expected at Levi’s Stadium. Is that because Cade Cowell, now with Chivas, is facing the team (San Jose) where his professional career began? We’ll leave that answer up to you.
Houston Dynamo FC vs. Atlas FC
Watch: Apple TV - Free, Univision | Saturday, 8 pm ET
Watchability Score: 37/50
Héctor Herrera against a LIGA MX team is always must-watch. Houston are more than the legendary Mexican midfielder, though. Coco Carrasquilla and new striker Ezequiel Ponce are both ballers. Let’s see how they start to combine against a LIGA MX dark-horse contender.
Philadelphia Union vs. Charlotte FC
Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Saturday, 8 pm ET
Watchability Score: 37/50
Normally, this would be ranked a little lower. But Philadelphia have won back-to-back home games by a combined 8-1 scoreline. Their season might be salvaged after all.
Charlotte, meanwhile, are adjusting to having Karol Świderski back in the lineup. Can the Polish international be their long-needed solution at striker?
New England Revolution vs. Mazatlán FC
Watch: Apple TV - Free | Saturday, 8 pm ET
Watchability Score: 34/50
Lately, the Revs have been the walking wounded. Life’s been tough for Caleb Porter’s team. Still, New England are facing a bottom-tier LIGA MX club and should have the upper hand at home.
New York Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC
Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Saturday, 8 pm ET
Watchability Score: 31/50
The Red Bulls aren’t at full strength (see: Emil Forsberg and John Tolkin). But they’re more about the system than individual stars anyways. If anybody can counter-act that, it’s Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. They’ve both got magic in their boots.
St. Louis CITY SC vs. FC Dallas
Watch: Apple TV - Free | Saturday, 9 pm ET
Watchability Score: 29/50
It’s, uh, not going great in St. Louis. Let’s see how quickly their new signings integrate and help Roman Bürki avoid needing to go super-human every game. Unlike last year, maybe Leagues Cup can give CITY SC some forward momentum?
FC Dallas have some game-changers in striker Petar Musa and goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Don’t be surprised if they get the visitors a road win.
Cucho named MLS Player of the Month: Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández has been named MLS Player of the Month for July 2024. The Colombian star logged a league-leading seven goal contributions during the month (3g/4a).
Columbus loan Hinestroza to Atlético Nacional: The Columbus Crew have loaned forward Marino Hinestroza to Colombian top-flight side Atlético Nacional. The deal is for one year and Columbus can recall Hinestroza after the 2024 MLS season, subject to roster compliance guidelines.
Sporting KC transfer Tzionis to FK Čukarički: Sporting Kansas City have transferred forward Marinos Tzionis to Serbian top-flight side FK Čukarički. The 23-year-old Cyprian international was a U22 Initiative signing who tallied 2g/1a in 57 appearances.
- LAFC lived up to the Leagues Cup hype by routing Club Tijuana.
- Austin FC stunned Pumas UNAM in Leagues Cup with an "incredible display of grit."
- LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris talked about his MLS “adventure” after leaving Tottenham.
- MLS and adidas unveiled the 2024 Hispanic Celebration jersey.
- Watch out for these MLS alums during Leagues Cup.
Good luck out there. Make time for your fans.
