Nashville SC Battles Mazatlán in Crucial Leagues Cup Match
Exploring the Leagues Cup: An In-Depth Look at the Annual MLS and Liga MX Competition
Nashville SC is set to host Mazatlán FC this Wednesday in the Leagues Cup, marking the club’s third significant competition of 2024. This event adds to the ongoing MLS regular season and follows the recently concluded CONCACAF Champions Cup. As the Leagues Cup is still a relatively new concept for many soccer fans, it’s worth diving into the details of this intriguing tournament.
The Leagues Cup is an annual competition featuring clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, Mexico’s premier professional league. Launched in 2019, the tournament initially featured eight teams—four from each league—competing in a single-elimination format. This format was maintained in 2021 after the tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the event took on a different form, known as the Leagues Cup Showcase, which consisted of five friendly matches between MLS and Liga MX teams. Nashville SC made its debut in this iteration, drawing 3-3 against Club América.
The 2023 edition marked a significant shift to the current format. All 29 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX teams participated, with the tournament running from July 21 to August 19. Both leagues paused their regular seasons to accommodate the competition, a practice that continues in 2024.
Led by the global superstar Lionel Messi, Inter Miami clinched the Leagues Cup last season by defeating Nashville SC on penalties in the final held at Geodis Park. This year’s tournament began on July 26 and will conclude with the final on August 25.
Understanding the Leagues Cup Format
Group Stage and Knockout Rounds
The Leagues Cup features a group stage followed by a 32-team single-elimination knockout stage. The tournament is divided into two regions—East and West. The Eastern region comprises seven groups of three teams each, while the Western region has eight. The reigning champions of each league, Columbus Crew from MLS and Club América from Liga MX, receive automatic berths into the knockout stage.
The remaining 45 teams are seeded into three pots of 15 teams each, based on their 2023 league performances. Each group consists of one team drawn from each pot. Teams play each other once within their group, and the top two teams advance to the knockout stage, which commences on August 7.
All matches are held at MLS venues. However, the top four Liga MX teams by seed—América, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tigres UANL—have “hub rights,” allowing them to host games at designated MLS stadiums with priority over most MLS teams.
Key Dates and Match Locations
- Group Stage: July 26 – August 6
- Knockout Stage: Begins August 7
- Final: August 25
The dates, times, and locations for the knockout-stage games will be announced after the conclusion of each round.
Nashville SC’s Journey in the Leagues Cup
Group Stage Challenges
Nashville SC is placed in East 5 alongside the New England Revolution and Mazatlán FC. They will host Mazatlán at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday and then travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to face the Revolution on Tuesday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT. In the opening match of the group, New England defeated Mazatlán 1-0, setting a crucial stage for Nashville. A win against Mazatlán would secure Nashville’s advancement to the knockout stage.
Potential Knockout Stage Paths
If Nashville wins its group, it will face the runner-up of East 1, which includes New York City FC, FC Cincinnati, and Querétaro, in the round of 32. If Nashville finishes as the runner-up, it will go up against the winner of East 7, comprising Atlanta United, D.C. United, and Santos Laguna.
- Wins in Regulation: 3 points
- Tied Games (90 minutes): Penalty shootout determines winner (2 points) and loser (1 point)
- Knockout Matches: Direct to penalties after 90 minutes
Last season, Nashville SC finished second in its Leagues Cup group, beating the Colorado Rapids and losing to Toluca. They then triumphed over Cincinnati on penalties in the round of 32 and overcame Club América in the round of 16 through another dramatic penalty shootout.
In the quarterfinals, Nashville routed Minnesota United 5-0 at Geodis Park and defeated Monterrey 2-0 in the semifinals, earning the right to host Inter Miami for their first-ever trophy. The final ended 1-1 with Fafá Picault equalizing Messi’s first-half goal, but Miami clinched the championship in a tense 11-round penalty shootout.
The Road Ahead for Nashville SC
Importance of the Leagues Cup
The winner of the Leagues Cup earns an automatic berth in the next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. The second- and third-place teams will qualify for the CCC group stage. Nashville SC competed in the CCC for the first time in 2024 after finishing as the Leagues Cup runner-up. They beat Moca FC in the first round but were eliminated by Inter Miami in the round of 16.
Broadcast Information
The tournament will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with select games broadcasted on FOX Sports and Univision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Leagues Cup?
The Leagues Cup is an annual competition featuring clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX, Mexico’s top professional league. It started in 2019 and has evolved into a significant tournament in the soccer calendar.
How is the tournament structured?
The tournament includes a group stage followed by a knockout stage. Teams are divided into East and West regions, with group stage matches determining who advances to the knockout rounds.
What are the benefits of winning the Leagues Cup?
The winner earns an automatic berth in the next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16. The second- and third-place teams qualify for the CCC group stage.
Where are the matches held?
All matches are played at MLS venues, although the top four Liga MX teams by seed have “hub rights” to host games at designated MLS stadiums.
How are points awarded in the group stage?
Wins in regulation are worth three points. If a game is tied after 90 minutes, it goes to a penalty shootout, with the winner earning two points and the loser one point.
Conclusion
The Leagues Cup offers a unique and exciting competition for soccer fans, bringing together the best from MLS and Liga MX. Nashville SC’s journey in this tournament is a testament to the growing competitiveness and excitement surrounding the event. With the potential for more thrilling matches and dramatic moments, the Leagues Cup is quickly becoming a staple in the soccer calendar. As Nashville SC aims for success, fans can look forward to a tournament filled with passion, skill, and unforgettable moments.
