The Leagues Cup, a competitive tournament featuring top soccer clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX, began Tuesday, July 29, 2024. This season, the tournament introduces a more exclusive format with only 18 MLS and 18 Liga MX teams participating separately in group stages. Among the highly anticipated matches is Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami facing Necaxa, spotlighting the importance of this clash as teams vie for knockout stage qualification.
Running through August 31, the tournament prompts a temporary pause in MLS league play, resting from July 29 to August 9, to allow all involved clubs to focus on this intense interleague competition.
Midseason Pause Brings Leagues Cup Intensity Amid Fixture Challenges
As the MLS season approaches its closing stages, teams face a congested schedule, juggling league games alongside multiple cup competitions. Lionel Messi and teammate Jordi Alba have already faced suspension for opting out of the MLS All-Star game to rest. Now, Inter Miami, along with Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC, embarks on their third cup endeavor of the year, the highest among MLS clubs so far.
While most squads are competing in no more than two cup contests, the added pressure of three games within eight days may challenge players’ endurance and team strategies. The Leagues Cup’s selective structure attempts to limit matches but still demands decisive performances from each player in every game.
Understanding the Structure of the Leagues Cup Group Phase
The group stage, designated as Phase One, features exclusive matchups where MLS clubs face only Liga MX teams. The competition operates with separate league tables for MLS and Liga MX participants. Only the top four teams from each league’s standings will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 19 and 20.
Every match outcome carries notable consequences. With no draws allowed, tied games proceed to penalty shootouts to determine a winner. Points allocation is designed to reward victories in regulation with three points, penalty shootout winners earn two, and shootout losers gain one point. This system amplifies the significance of goal difference and winning outright during regulation time for teams aiming to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
Exclusive Qualification Heightens Competition Among MLS Clubs
The Leagues Cup now restricts participation to the top nine teams from each MLS conference, aligning with the 18 Liga MX teams involved. This narrower entry field raises the bar for entry, making qualification tougher and intensifying pressure on every group stage match.
Even if a team accumulates more points than an opponent in the opposite league table, advancement depends solely on being in the top four of its own table. This structure ensures sustained tension and urgency from the first matchday through the final group fixtures.
Expansion team San Diego FC, despite being newcomers to MLS this season, secured a place in the tournament, taking the spot of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who were committed to competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Canadian Championship. San Diego’s early-season momentum in the Western Conference gives them a chance to make a notable impression in the Leagues Cup.
Scheduling and Viewing Information for Inter Miami’s Upcoming Match
Inter Miami’s next critical match will be against Necaxa on Saturday, August 30. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and will be held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fans can watch the game live on MLS Season Pass, bringing the action directly to viewers.
Bookmakers currently favor Inter Miami with odds at -209, while a draw stands at +425 and a Necaxa win at +400, highlighting Inter Miami’s status as the likely favorite in this battle.
Leagues Cup Group Standings Reflect High Stakes for Qualifying Teams
The group standings highlight the fight for quarterfinal places across MLS and Liga MX. In Group A, MLS teams such as the Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, and Inter Miami compete fiercely alongside others like Minnesota United and FC Cincinnati. Inter Miami remains a key contender, aiming to secure a top-four spot within this competitive cluster.
Group B features strong Liga MX clubs including Tigres UNAL, Mazatlan, Toluca, and Necaxa, the latter being Inter Miami’s upcoming opponent. Both leagues exhibit closely contested points tallies, emphasizing the narrow margins separating teams vying for advancement.
Recent Match Results Illustrate Competitive Intensity and Upsets
The initial week of Leagues Cup fixtures already showcased dramatic outcomes and tight contests. Toluca overcame Columbus Crew on penalties following a 2-2 draw, while CF Montreal edged Club Leon 7-6 in a shootout thriller. Inter Miami secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Atlas, signaling their intent in the tournament.
Other notable results include Mazatlan defeating LAFC in a high-scoring shootout and Seattle Sounders’ commanding 7-0 triumph over Cruz Azul. These matches underscore the unpredictable nature of group play and the thin line between success and elimination.
Upcoming Matches and Key Dates to Watch
Matches continue throughout early August, with a packed schedule including games such as Orlando City vs. Necaxa and Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM. The group phase concludes by August 7, shortly followed by knockout stages starting August 19.
Quarterfinals, semifinals, the third-place playoff, and the final all take place within the last two weeks of August, culminating on August 31. The knockout phase maintains the MLS vs. Liga MX format, pairing the best from each league against one another in high-stakes encounters.
Tiebreaker Rules Ensure Clear Advancement Criteria
In case teams finish tied on points at the conclusion of group play, the tournament applies detailed tiebreakers, including goal difference and other performance metrics, to determine who moves forward. These measures reinforce the importance of every goal scored or conceded during the phase, emphasizing not just winning but how teams manage match outcomes.
Why This Leagues Cup Matters for Messi and Inter Miami
For Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 2024 Leagues Cup represents a pivotal opportunity to claim regional superiority while balancing the demands of a congested schedule. Given the intense competition posed by Liga MX teams like Necaxa, every match will test squad depth, endurance, and strategic execution.
The exclusivity of the current format raises the stakes, promising thrilling matches and uncertain outcomes through to the final. Inter Miami’s performance in this cup could influence their momentum heading into the crucial final stretch of the MLS season, while further success would cement their stature in North American soccer.