GOAL takes a look at the 2025 competition, which begins Tuesday, previewing what to expect, favorites and more
The third edition of the Leagues Cup arrives next week, as Liga MX and Major League Soccer clash in a head-to-head format that runs from July 29 to Aug. 31, crowning a North American champion at the end.
On the line is a big shiny trophy, a wad of cash, bragging rights over both respective leagues, and the biggest prize of all: three spots in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, while the winner will be granted a spot to represent the region in future FIFA international club competitions.
A total of 36 teams, 18 from each league, will clash in the new format, which will see matches played concurrently with the regular season of each league across August.
The top nine teams from each conference in MLS, all of whom featured in the postseason last year, will feature – while expansion side San Diego FC replaced the Vancouver Whitecaps in the competition due to their participation in the Champions Cup this year. Liga MX, meanwhile, has its entire 18-team league playing in the tournament.
MLS currently leads Liga MX 2-0 in two editions of the tournament, with Inter Miami claiming the inaugural trophy and the Columbus Crew winning the 2024 iteration.
Year 3 is here, and GOAL previews the field ahead, looking at the favorites from each league, going over the competition format, and more.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWho are the favorites from MLS?
Inter Miami: What more is there to say beyond that if Messi is in the team, there is always a chance at silverware. The Argentine led Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup title in 2023, but missed out due to injury in 2024, and the ultimately fell short in their goal of winning their second title in as many years. This time around, though, he's back and available for selection and will look to lead Messi back to the top of the Leagues Cup podium.
Columbus Crew: The Crew, reigning champions of the competition, are one of the teams to watch this Leagues Cup. Spearheaded by one of the best wingers in all of MLS, Diego Rossi, the Eastern Conference side will look to run it back after finding success in last year's competition.
With the recent addition of Palestine international Wessam Abou Ali to their ranks, their attack will be a must-watch in the tournament.
San Diego FC: An expansion side in 2025, the first-year club has stunned all of MLS with its extraordinary performances of late. Mexico international Chucky Lozano and Denmark star Anders Dreyer have lit up the attack for the club, while a tactical system implemented by manager Mikey Varas has them shooting for the stars in their first season as an organization.
They're a dark horse to win the Leagues Cup this year, though their form in MLS will have teams knowing they can compete.
FC Cincinnati: Evander, Evander, Evander. When it comes to FCC, he's the one name you really need to know. The Brazilian only trails Messi in terms of star power and skill itself in MLS – he's become a must-watch talent for the club every week. Across both leagues, he is a top-five player in this edition of the Leagues Cup.
FCC has shown they can compete with every team in MLS… Now it's their turn to prove they can do so against Liga MX, as well.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWho are the favorites from Liga MX?
Club América: Despite dominating Liga MX with four straight finals and three consecutive titles before last season’s defeat, André Jardine’s Club América have struggled internationally. Toluca dethroned them in the Clausura 2025 final, and América now enter this year’s Leagues Cup looking to regain the swagger they showed just months ago. Last year, they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by the Colorado Rapids on penalties – despite being at their peak. While they may not be the top Liga MX favorite this time, you can never truly count them out, and USMNT winger Alejandro Zendejas is arguably their best player.
Toluca: The reigning Liga MX champions come into the Leagues Cup as one of the most complete teams in Mexican football. Under Antonio Mohamed, Toluca ended América’s hopes of a historic four-peat and now looks to continue their dominance. With a rock-solid defense, a creative midfield, and a lethal attack led by Portuguese striker Paulinho and Mexican star Alexis Vega – arguably the most in-form player in the league – are among the tournament’s clear favorites.
Cruz Azul: With Nicolás Larcamón at the helm, Cruz Azul underwent a major overhaul ahead of the Apertura 2025. Their ambition isn’t just to compete domestically, but also to become the first Mexican club to win the Leagues Cup since its current format was adopted in 2023. Despite a slow league start, boasts a strengthened roster full of attacking talent and form players like Ángel Sepúlveda, one of the hottest Mexican strikers at the moment. They’re a serious contender.
Monterrey:have spent heavily in recent seasons, and while that hasn’t translated into Liga MX titles, their international profile continues to rise. Under Spanish coach Domenec Torrent, Monterrey had an impressive Club World Cup run earlier this year, making it to the quarterfinals in a group that included Inter Milan and River Plate. Their squad, led by Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and Óliver Torres, is one of the most experienced in the competition and certainly one to watch.
What you need to know about the Leagues Cup
The rundown:
The 2025 Leagues Cup will feature 62 matches, including at least 58 MLS vs. Liga MX games. The competition will be played in two rounds, Phase One and the Knockout Rounds, and will feature a newly-introduced point system to determine who advances to the Knockout portion of the competition.
There will be no ties. Each team will receive one point if the game is tied after 90 minutes, and the match will go straight to a penalty shootout. The winner of the shootout will earn an additional point. Regulation wins, meanwhile, count as three points in the standings.
The top four clubs with the most points from each league at the end of Phase One will move on to the Knockout Rounds, straight into the Quarterfinals of the competition.
A key format note is that there will be NO extra time at all, at any stage of the competition. Matches that end in draws will go straight into kicks from the spot.
Hosting privileges:
As reigning MLS Cup champions, the LA Galaxy will have hosting privileges throughout the tournament. In addition, the five top-ranked LIGA MX clubs – Cruz Azul, Toluca, Tigres UANL, CF Monterrey, and Pumas UNAM – will have different levels of hosting privilege throughout as well, to ensure there is less travel on their end.
How to watch:
All matches will air on Apple TV+ on MLS Season Pass. Select matches will be available on TelevisaUnivision's various networks, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.
AFPCompetition format, schedule
Key dates:
Phase One: July 29 – August 7
Quarterfinals: August 19-20
Semifinals: August 26-27
Third Place: August 31
Final: August 31
Phase One:
54 Phase One matches will be played between MLS and LIGA MX clubs, with each team playing three consecutive games.
Knockout Rounds:
The four advancing clubs from each team will be placed in a bracket, competing in a single-elimination format featuring only MLS vs. LIGA MX formats. The bracket will be fixed, with the first-place MLS team facing the fourth-place LIGA MX team, and so on.
The Leagues Cup third-place game and final will determine the three clubs that qualify for the 2026 Champions Cup.
